Studies of Scientific Development

Abstract

A FEW months back the formation of the History of Science Society, to carry on in a more permanent form the work which Dr. Sarton has been doing at the Carnegie Institution of Washington since the War, was announced in NATURE. The first volumes issued under these new auspices have just reached us and encourage the highest hopes as to the future of the enterprise. Estimated on the lowest basis, they are extraordinarily good value for the money, a subscription of five dollars covering the whole. Those who joined for this year will have already received two volumes, counting as Parts I., II.,and III. of vol. 3. The first, besides various reviews, contains a longish article by Dr. Sarton himself, explaining under the title of the “New Humanism “the objects of the new association and its organ. It is, in fact, a programme and a confession of faith by the founder. The second is a full and very careful bibliography of all the books and articles which have been approved in the second half of 1923 on the history of science and philosophy and the history of civilisation. Its classification aims specially at bringing out the interdependence of the scientific development of different countries at the same time and thus illustrates the unity of mankind and the unity of knowledge. Isis: The International Review devoted to the History of Science and Civilisation. The official organ of the History of Science Society. Edited by Dr. George Sarton. (Weissenbruch and Co., 49 rue da Poinçon, Brussels.)