Details

Subject(s)

• Science and civilization [Browse]
• Nature—Effect of human beings on. [Browse]
• Global environmental change [Browse]
• Human ecology [Browse]
• History, Modern [Browse]

Series

Anthem world history [More in this series]

Summary note

• "The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947 by a group of atomic scientists to symbolise the perils facing humanity from nuclear weapons. In 2007 it was set at five minutes before the final bell, including for the first time the threat of climate change as well as new developments in the life sciences and nanotechnology. This book aims at an analysis of the evolution of our present predicament throughout the Anthropocene Era beginning in 1763, making special reference to the history of the period, the study of the subject and major advances in the natural sciences. Adam Smith and Adam Ferguson set out the basis for a scientific approach to the pre-industrial stages of historical development in the Enlightenment of the late eighteenth century, when the American and French Revolutions created a vocabulary of modernity. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as the industrial revolution unfolded in several stages, nationalism, imperialism and totalitarianism were among the phenomena impeding the update of the Enlightenment programme as well as the fulfilment of the aspirations of 1776 and 1789. Our present predicament demands a rigorous examination of its origins and an assertion of a scientific pandisciplinary approach involving history and other academic specialisations"-- Provided by publisher.
• "The book examines the evolution of the predicament symbolised by the setting of the Doomsday Clock at a few minutes to midnight in the context of the Anthropocene Era from 1763, making special reference to the study of history throughout the period. It seeks to demonstrate the necessity for history as science, while pointing out the inadequacy of some previous approaches. It argues for a pandisciplinary approach to today's crisis"-- Provided by publisher.

Notes

Title from publishers bibliographic system (viewed on 11 Apr 2014).

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Reproduction note

Electronic reproduction. New York Available via World Wide Web.

Source of description

Print version record.

ISBN

• 9780857289254 ((ebook))
• 085728925X ((ebook))
• 1283377217 ((electronic bk.))
• 9781283377218 ((electronic bk.))
• 9781843313311 ((electronic bk.))
• 1843313316 ((electronic bk.))

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...