Boris Hessen and Philosophy: The Socioeconomic Roots of Classical and Modern Physics

Boris Hessen's paper at the 2nd International Congress of the History of Science & Technology in London claimed that Sir Isaac Newton's natural philosophy was traceable to the conditions of socioeconomic development and technological progress in 17th-century England. His legacy would have been lost to time if not for the works of select scholars, and Sean Winkler provides an exegesis of his writings, articulating his unique understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic development, technological progress, and natural scientific theory, and re-assessing his legacy to the history and philosophy of science.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In 1931, Soviet philosopher Boris Hessen presented a groundbreaking paper at the 2nd International Congress of the History of Science & Technology in London. Hessen made the radical claim that Sir Isaac Newton's natural philosophy was traceable to the conditions of socioeconomic development and technological progress in 17th-century England. This revelation would alter the study of the history and philosophy of science for good.

No more than five years later, Hessen was dead; executed in what would become Joseph Stalin's Great Purge. If not for the works of select scholars, Hessen's legacy would have been lost to time. Nearly a century after Hessen's death, we still know very little about this pioneering figure. In this book, Sean Winkler provides an exegesis of Hessen's writings, articulating his unique understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic development, technological progress, and natural scientific theory, re-assessing his legacy to the history and philosophy of science and reflecting on his enduring significance in today's world of growing social inequality amidst unfettered technological progress.

Hessen's ideas were ahead of their time, and his work was met with hostility by many in the scientific community. He was accused of being a communist and a threat to the stability of the Soviet Union. Despite these challenges, Hessen continued to write and publish his ideas, and his influence on the history and philosophy of science has been profound.

One of Hessen's most important contributions was his understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic development and technological progress. He argued that the two were not separate processes, but rather were interdependent and mutually reinforcing. He believed that technological progress was driven by the need for new products and services, which in turn led to economic growth and social change.

Hessen also argued that natural scientific theory was not independent of social and cultural factors. He believed that scientific theories were shaped by the values and beliefs of the society in which they were developed, and that they were subject to change as society changed. This idea has been influential in the study of the history of science, particularly in the field of the sociology of science.

Hessen's ideas were also ahead of their time in terms of their understanding of the role of science in society. He argued that science was not just a tool for understanding the natural world, but also had a social and political role to play. He believed that science could be used to promote social justice and equality, and to improve the quality of life for all people.

Despite the hostility that Hessen faced, his legacy has continued to grow. His ideas have been influential in the fields of science and technology studies, sociology of science, and history of science. His work has inspired many scholars to explore the relationship between socioeconomic development, technological progress, and natural scientific theory, and to consider the role of science in society.

In conclusion, Boris Hessen was a pioneering philosopher who made groundbreaking contributions to the history and philosophy of science. His ideas were ahead of their time, and his work was met with hostility by many in the scientific community. Despite these challenges, Hessen continued to write and publish his ideas, and his influence on the history and philosophy of science has been profound. His understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic development, technological progress, and natural scientific theory, his belief that scientific theories were shaped by social and cultural factors, and his understanding of the role of science in society have all had a lasting impact on the field. Hessen's legacy continues to grow, and his ideas are still relevant in today's world of growing social inequality amidst unfettered technological progress.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 238 x 157 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538147580