Book · 1956 · History
Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 2, History of Scientific Thought
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Somebody actually went out and looked at Joseph Needham’s many volumes on Chinese technology and science, or Science and Civilisation [in China], as he called it.
Joel Mokyr · Conversations with Tyler · Jul 2026 Why people recommend it
Science and Civilisation in China is a monumental multi-volume scholarly work by Joseph Needham, with contributions from Ling Wang, that explores the history of science and technology in Chinese civilization. Joel Mokyr discussed the project on Conversations with Tyler in July 2026, using Needham's extensive research to examine the historical trajectory of Chinese technology and science, specifically addressing the factors surrounding the technological stagnation of China after the year 1400. Furthermore, Ben Bowlin referenced the publication on an October 2024 episode of Stuff They Don't Want You To Know while discussing the historical origins of medical practices. Bowlin specifically cited volume six of Needham's work to explore historical accounts and documentation regarding early smallpox inoculation methods in China. Across both podcast appearances, Needham's exhaustive scholarship is treated as an essential academic resource for understanding global scientific history, technological development, and cross-cultural exchanges of knowledge over the centuries.
Every mention
Ben Bowlin there's a guy named Joseph Needum who wrote a book called science and civilization in China and he talks ab… 1
“there's a guy named Joseph Needum who wrote a book called science and civilization in China and he talks about this in volume six”
Joel Mokyr Somebody actually went out and looked at Joseph Needham’s many volumes on Chinese technology and science, o… 1
“Somebody actually went out and looked at Joseph Needham’s many volumes on Chinese technology and science, or Science and Civilisation [in China], as he called it”
