The Global History of Science: Disproving the Eurocentrism Myth
For many years, a persistent critique has echoed in popular media: that the narrative of science is excessively Eurocentric—restricted to the viewpoint that modern science originated in ancient Greece, stalled during the “Dark Ages,” and flourished in Western Europe during the Renaissance and Enlightenment, primarily due to the intelligence of white European men. This perspective is not only misleading but has long been rejected by serious historians in the field. In academia, science is now broadly recognized as a global, multicultural, and interconnected phenomenon that has been influenced by centuries of knowledge exchange among civilizations.
Still, the oversimplified, Eurocentric narrative continues to thrive in popular literature and media depictions, often framed as groundbreaking insights by authors who either misconstrue or distort the accurate state of historical scholarship. It is critical to investigate the real status of academic studies in the history of science, the initiatives aimed at addressing Eurocentrism, and to rectify common misconceptions with substantial evidence.
The Newton-Alchemy Revelation: Not as Shocking
Consider a historical instance. A frequently referenced “revelation” was the discovery that Isaac Newton—an emblem of Enlightenment rationality—devoted a considerable portion of his life to the study of alchemy. This detail appeared shocking to many contemporary readers upon its rediscovery. However, historians have been aware of this since the 1930s, when economist John Maynard Keynes acquired Newton’s alchemical manuscripts and wrote his renowned essay, “Newton the Man.” Keynes characterized Newton not as the pioneer of the Age of Reason but “the last of the magicians,” demonstrating that Newton was profoundly linked to earlier intellectual traditions as well as those of his era.
Far from being a peripheral detail, Newton’s fascination with alchemy represents how scientific inquiry has always oscillated between older mystical frameworks and emerging empirical methods. Importantly, this understanding has been a foundational element among professional historians for nearly a century, even if the public takes longer to catch up.
The Eurocentrism Accusation
Recently, critics have asserted that the discipline of the history of science is fundamentally Eurocentric. However, this critique is increasingly seen as outdated. As early as the mid-20th century, scholars began to systematically investigate science across diverse cultures and civilizations.
Joseph Needham’s Enormous Contribution
One of the most significant efforts to counter Eurocentrism is Joseph Needham’s extensive Science and Civilisation in China series, initiated in 1948. The first volume was published in 1954, and by 2004, the project had grown to seven volumes across twenty-seven parts, exploring Chinese contributions to areas such as chemistry, biology, astronomy, and mathematics. Needham, in collaboration with scholars like Nathan Sivin, pioneered a new understanding of science as a fundamentally multicultural endeavor.
The Advancement of Islamic Science Studies
Concurrently, the academic examination of Islamic science grew significantly in the latter half of the 20th century. Edward S. Kennedy’s historical research on Islamic astronomy began in 1956 and was energetically pursued by his student David A. King, who, along with other scholars like Roshi Rashed and George Saliba, redefined our understanding of Islamic contributions to optics, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy.
Islamic polymaths such as Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) made essential advancements in optics, prioritizing empirical investigation and constructing a crucial link between classical Greek methodology and subsequent European advancements. However, claims that he invented the scientific method can be considered overstated. His experimental approaches were grounded in Ptolemaeus’ Optica, and many of his “experiments” should perhaps be viewed more accurately as thought experiments, given the constraints of 11th-century tools. Nevertheless, Ibn al-Haytham undoubtedly influenced the development of optical science significantly—something acknowledged in every serious history of the discipline.
Beyond Islam and China: A Comprehensive Global History
India’s contributions to science, especially in mathematics and astronomy, have also garnered extensive scholarly attention. Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya’s 1977 History of Science and Technology in Ancient India and Kim Plofker’s Mathematics in India (2009) are just a couple of the numerous works that underscore India’s vibrant scientific traditions.
A similar pattern applies to African, Mesoamerican, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Thorough works detailing science and technology in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt exist. Otto Neugebauer’s The Exact Sciences in Antiquity and B. L. van der Waerden’s Science Awakening, both released in 1957, offer profound insights into early science within these regions.
Africa is also comprehensively documented—Wikipedia’s article on the History of Science and Technology in Africa serves as an excellent illustration of how accessible and extensive modern resources can be. It cites hundreds of references and links to content about scientific achievements throughout the continent, emphasizing that global contributions are well represented in recent historiography.