The scope of this book is vast; from the primitive hend-tool makers of the stone age, to the complex organization builders of the modern age, humans have evolved, and their ability to create has advanced.
There is also an important warning to people not to forget their biological and evolutionary roots. An atheist, Bronowski understood the value of life on earth, and the need for each successive generation of people to transmit the knowledge of culture, science, and technology to future generations. The last chapter states that, if we humans are to continue the Ascent, we must be prepared to invest more in our children.
Like all secularists, Bronowski understood that no god was going to 'save' humanity nor mourn humanity's destruction (should that ever come to pass), just as no god had created humanity. There never were, and are not now, future lives, there is only this life. Whatever the pretensions of humanity are, we are forever tied to the physical universe in which our DNA, and other matter exists.
If we want a better world, we need to make it ourselves. And to do that, we need to understand the theory and application of science. The book makes a strong, but subtle case for scientific thinking, learning, and the value of technology in making a better world.
''The Ascent of Man'' neatly complements ''The Western intellectual Tradition''. While the latter book looked at the role of great ideas in shaping civilizations and driving revolutions, the former looks at roles played by the technologies and science which developed in many civilizations, that often interacted with great ideas.
Because of America's phobia when it comes to secular, atheistic i! deas, Bronowski was forced to state that his PBS TV series was "a personal view". While that was not untrue, Bronowski's personal views are also those of many others, most of whom probably share his love of learning and find joy in the acts of invention and discovery.
-Brian Lynch
Topics included in this book are the evolution of man from the apes, the development of man to be agricultural in nature rather than a hunter, the discovery and use of metal, the discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo and Newton, the early history of chemistry, the atomic revolution and relativity of Einstein, the discovery of DNA and Mendelian heredity, and the future of science. All this in one book!
Bronowski informs us that scientific achievements are not to be viewed by themselves in a vacuum, but rather should be enriched by the understanding of how the originators thought of them. Without this understanding, science becomes a collection of dry, complex and unrelated discoveries. Since science is a human effort, discoveries made are restricted by this. Furthermore, he shows that science cannot exist without art, as creativity is inspired from art and is needed to advance science.
This book is intended for a general audience; however all scientists should treat themselves to this book to get a general perspective of their work and their future. In particular, Bronowski's warning about western science being threatened by the tendency of scientists to be restrained by governmental funding and freedom is as pertinent today as it was when he wrote it.
Put this book on your bookshelf next to Carl Sagan's book "Cosmos" and make sure you watch Bronowski's BBC TV series of this book entitled "The Ascent of Man: A Personal View".