Under The Microscope

THE ASCENT OF SCIENCE, by Brian Silver; Oxford University Press; 534pp; $55

Reviewed by Andy Reisinger

This is a weighty book in more than one respect. Silver takes the reader on a tour de force through the development of science in the Western world. He begins with Galileo and Newton, and finishes with genetics, quantum mechanics and cosmology. Along the way he discusses aspects of scientific practice, the enlightenment, influences of Greek philosophy and the need of the average layperson on the street to understand basic issues in science in order to participate in informed debate about its use.

The book is full of delightful mental sidebars which link scientific thinking to concurrent trends and anecdotes in literature, philosophy, political events and social movements. At the same time Silver stays well clear of the temptation to search for an underlying mystic unity between science and the arts. One of the greatest joys of this book lies in the sober, sometimes bordering on cynical, scrutiny to which he subjects certain philosophical and New Age interpretations of modern scientific theories and their supposed deeper meanings.

The author is no stranger to the scientific enterprise. A former professor of physical chemistry at the Technicon Israel Institute of Technology, he is able to give a pragmatic and therefore often clearer account of what science is all about than many a science writer who suffers from theoretical overload.

At the same time one wonders if this book can really achieve Silver's goal, which is to introduce the somewhat timid layperson to basic scientific concepts and major theories. Many of his scattered references to writers, philosophers, artists, and historical events may leave the reader in sheer awe rather than a better understanding of what is being said. His sparkling wit and incredible breadth of knowledge makes exciting reading where one manages to keep up with it, but may easily add to the feeling of being left behind when the basic scientific concept is already hard enough to grasp.

Unfortunately Brian Silver died just prior to publication of his book. I would have looked forward to him becoming one of the great humanist commentators on science, its ideas, and driving forces behind the main players.

Andy Reisinger is with NIWA in Wellington