This book is a study of the origins and development of Greek science, focusing especially on the interactions of scientific and traditional patterns of thought from the sixth to the fourth centuries BC. The starting point is an examination of how certain Greek authors deployed the category of 'magic' and attacked magical beliefs and practices, and these attacks are related to their complex background in Greek medicine and speculative thought. In his second chapter Dr Lloyd outlines the development, and assesses the significance, of the theory and practice of argument in early Greek science, and he follows this with a study of the development of empirical research. Finally the author confronts the question of why the Greeks invented science: what precisely was their contribution to science, and what social, economic, ideological and political factors had a bearing on the growth of science in Greece.

The first edition of this book profoundly challenged and divided students of philosophy, sociology, and the history of science when it was published in 1976. In this second edition, Bloor responds in a substantial new Afterword to the heated debates engendered by his book. "Bloor's book came out as a broadside that announced a new approach to the history and philosophy of science, an approach that became known as the strong programme.' . . . Now, any book published in history and philosophy of science must take Bloor and the strong programme into account."--Robert J. Richards, University of Chicago

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

本书以法国希腊哲学学者、汉学家于连的有关中国思想研究为基础，用对话形式探讨了中国思想和从希腊传统发展而来的西方思想在沟通与交流方面的一些问题。如何看待异域的文化，为什么深入异域的思想文化，分析有别自身的他者不是为了比较优劣，而是为了更深入地反思自己的文化，这是西方研究中国和中国研究西方都应该思考的一个重要问题。远去是为了归来。