Great Scientific Ideas That Changed the World

By: Steven L. Goldman, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Steven L. Goldman

What is the greatest scientific idea of all? Because science has so dramatically altered how we live and how we think about ourselves, the answer may well be the very idea of science itself, because - just like science's most important achievements - it, too, needed to be thought about, perfected, and invented. This 36-lecture series explores the ideas that have helped form the foundation of modern life - when society has been willing to pursue them. The lectures interpret the term "scientific idea" broadly, to include the ideas that made science possible at all, as well as the ideas that make it so immensely powerful. The result will be new insights into how science shapes society, as well as the way in which society, in turn, affects the directions taken by science.

You'll learn that there is no sharp distinction between ideas that are classified as scientific and those that are classified as philosophical or mathematical, or even between scientific ideas and political, religious, or aesthetic ideas. And how for 200 years, it has been the interaction of science and technology with society that has been the primary driver of social and cultural change, first in the West, then globally, and at an accelerating rate, affecting social and personal values and relationships; social, political, and economic institutions; and cultural values and activities in ways beyond anything our great-grandparents (or sometimes even parents) would recognize.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2007 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2007 The Great Courses

Outstanding audio book would recommend

Great narration interesting content well layed out. Would listen to again, worth the long duration.

Least favorite Great Courses set thus far

This is not the best Great Courses, though I could be overly critical. This unit could be half as long & tedious if it cut units on language or writing or progress; he argues these all interweave to make sense as to why they were included, but I find even that idea equally half baked.
Additionally, often times I found myself asking "Wait, what? I didn't know that, where is that published?" but with no details ever provided. That's a criticism of many Great Courses lectures overall, not necessarily specific to this one.

It was still illuminating in many ways, but combine the above with the relative dryness and stammering of the lecturer, and it all adds up so a "so-so" course in my opinion.

Another excellent narration by Goldman

The quality of the information matched with the eloquence of Goldman's speech patterns makes for an unforgettable experience.

This is an audiobook that every human being should be required to listen to before interacting with the world... every single one.

Absorbing

Great erudition, rapidly presented. Will need several revisits to fully absorb its wide ranging content. Would love access to the written transcript for more detailed study.
Neil Brightwell

Interesting, sometimes naive, but always interesting.

The material was excellent.

I feel like some of the interpretation went too far.

But overall worth listening to.