Abstract
CONTACT between highly different cultures apparently gave the impetus to important developments in the early history of the exact sciences, namely, mathematics and astronomy. The development of exact science cannot be adequately described as a systematic step-by-step progress. In any event where we are able to disclose the conditions of essential new development, the contact between highly different cultures appears to give the initial impetus. On the other hand, ‘culture’ is in itself equivalent to tradition, which unifies large groups of populations into a common type of opinion and action. However, the same force, tradition, which defines a culture as an individual being, becomes an increasing impediment to further independent development and creates the long periods of ‘dark ages’, which cover by far the largest part of human history.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Exact Science in Antiquity. Nature 146, 625 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/146625a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/146625a0