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Quote by George Sarton

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A Guide to the History of Science: A First Guide for the Study of the History of Science, with Introductory Essays on Science and Tradition

A comprehensive guidebook that delves into the historical progression of scientific thought and discovery. The text provides an accessible entry point for readers interested in understanding the evolution of scientific knowledge, with a focus on the interplay between scientific advancements and cultural traditions. The introductory essays offer deeper insights into the philosophical and historical context of scientific inquiry. more

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George Sarton
George Sarton

George Sarton was a renowned historian of science, known for his profound insights into the relationship between science and society. His book 'Introduction to the History of Science' had a profound impact on the field of the history of science. more

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“The chief requisite for the making of a good chicken pie is chicken; no amount of culinary legerdemain can make up for the lack of chicken. In the same way, the chief requisite for the history of science is intimate scientific knowledge; no amount of philosophic legerdemain can make up for its absence.”

WayAmountAbsenceChiefsIntimateCulinaryChickensPiePhilosophicHistory Of ScienceScientific Knowledge
Book:The Teaching of the History of Science
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“The ability of nonintelligent people to understand the most complicated mechanisms and to use them has always been to me a cause of astonishment: their inability to understand simple questions is even more astonishing. The general acceptance of simple ideas is difficult and rare, and yet it is only when simple, fundamental, ideas have been accepted that further progress becomes possible on a higher level.”

PeopleHas BeensIdeasUseCausesDifficultSimpleAbilityLevelsProgressAcceptanceHigherFundamentalsComplicatedAcceptedMechanismInabilityAstonishingHigher LevelAstonishmentSimple Ideas
Book:A History of Science: Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece
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“Hellenic science is a victory of rationalism, which appears greater, not smaller, when one is made to realize that it had been won in spite of the irrational beliefs of the Greek people; all in all, it was a triumph of reason in the face of unreason. Some knowledge of Greek superstitions is needed not only for a proper appreciation of that triumph but also for the justification of occasional failures, such as the many Platonic aberrations.”

PeopleMadeReasonFacesBeliefRealizingGreaterNeededVictoryAppreciationTriumphGreekSpiteSuperstitionsJustificationIrrationalOccasionalRationalismPlatonicAberrationIrrational Beliefs
Book:Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece
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“The rationalism of the creative minds was tempered by abundant fantasies, and the supreme beauty of the monuments was probably spoiled by the circumambient vanities and ugliness; in a few cases the Greeks came as close to perfection as it was possible to do, yet they were human and imperfect.”

MindHumansCasesFantasyCreativePerfectionSupremeVanityGreekImperfectUglinessMonumentSpoiledRationalismCreative Mind
Book:Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece
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“My main interest... is the love of truth, whether pleasant or not. Truth is self-sufficient, and there is nothing to which it can be subordinated without loss. When truth is made subservient to anything else, however great (say religion), it becomes impure and sordid.”

MadeSelfInterestLossTruth IsSufficientPleasantSelf SufficientSubservient
Book:A History of Science: Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece
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