Mostly written by great minds
7 science books that changed the world
All these books are in the public domain, don’t excuse possible, so take them and enjoy science in its most pure state!
Science books are like neuronal tsunamis, cultural storms, seismic movements whose epicenter is found in what we consider to be unquestionable, untouchable or faith dogma.
Every science book, throughout history, has provoked these effects to a lesser or lesser extent.
Here I’m going to introduce you to the ones that came highest on the Richter scale 🤓
1. Cosmography of Claudius Ptolemy
It presents the Earth as the center of the universe and determines the conception of the world between the 2nd and 16th centuries. His false data on the extent of Asia motivated Columbus’ voyages. The author lived and worked in Egypt (believed to be in the famous Library of Alexandria).
He was an astrologer and an astronomer, activities that were intimately linked at that time. Ptolemy also cataloged many stars assigning them brightness and magnitude and established criteria for predicting eclipses.
2. Euclid's Elements of Geometry
The oldest mathematical manual in the world. It is still useful today since the language of mathematics is universal.
To cite some of the best known: The sum of the interior angles of any triangle is 180°, or in a right triangle the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs.
3. Pliny the Elder, The Natural History
An encyclopedia of ancient science citing over 400 Greek and Roman sources. It covers all branches of knowledge, from physics to literature. It was the most important reference book of the Middle Ages.
4. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, by Nicolas Copernicus
He explains the observable celestial movements by stating that the Earth revolves around the Sun, and the Sun revolves around itself. For that reason, in 1616 it was included in the index of books forbidden by the Church.
Copernicus spent nearly twenty-five years working on the development of his heliocentric model of the universe. At that time it was difficult for scientists to accept it, as it was a real revolution.
5. Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica of Isaac Newton
A theory that shows that all phenomena in the Solar System can be deduced and predicted from the laws of dynamics and gravitation. Without a doubt, the most important work of natural science.
Divine power is replaced by the laws of causality and mechanics.
6. Systema Naturae by Carl von Linnaeus
The foundation of modern botany and zoology through a systematic classification of the plant and animal world into genera and species.
The Latin nomenclature established by Linnaeus is still in use today.
7. Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences
The most important work of the European Enlightenment and which contributed to the discredit of the Ancien Régime. It will undoubtedly move those who, like me, consider reason a triumph and the Enlightenment the greatest intellectual stride of man.
Work on another work unclassifiable for the time that not only stirred consciences but gave work to thousands of people and moved society forever.
Chance turned both authors of the encyclopedia into pioneers who made their work grow to titanic levels, transforming a simple paid job into a lifestyle that would revolutionize the publishing industry and stand up to criticism, political correctness and even the Pope himself, even if it meant jail.
I hope it has been helpful and any input or constructive criticism is very welcome. I would also appreciate it if you liked to share this story. 😉
