Kuiper Kathleen. The Britannica Guide to Theories and Ideas That Changed the Modern World

Britannica Educational Pub, 2010. — 383 p. — (Turning Points in History) — ISBN 978-1615300297, 1615300295.There was a time when people assumed that the world was flat. Once an alternate theory was proposed, the original notion was challenged and, eventually, disproved. In short, theories and ideas can be potent agents of change—none more so than those that are extensively detailed in this book. Fascinating photographs and illustrations accompany the narrative.
Series Review: «Turning Points in History»
«This series will fill a niche in any high school reference section. It covers social, scientific, political, and intellectual theories, movements, concepts, and turning points that young people frequently do not understand...Librarians will find this series very useful...» -- Library Media Connection
Series Review: «Turning Points in History»
«This well-written set...will help advanced researchers better understand events, inventions, and ideas that influenced or contributed to the modern world. The books are divided into thematic chapters that objectively cover a topic, such as communication or liberalism, from its origins to the present, so that students can see how it developed and changed through innovation or evolution in thought or knowledge. Sidebars, average-quality black-and-white illustrations and photos, and bibliographies enhance the titles...These outstanding selections will help researchers understand the evolution of science, technology, and philosophies.» -- School Library JournalIntroduction
The biological sciences.
The origin of life.
The death of spontaneous generation.
The origin of primordial life.
Cell theory.
The problem of the origin of cells.
The protoplasm concept.
The contribution of other sciences.
Germ theory.
Discoveries in clinical medicine and anesthesia.
Advances at the end of the century.
Genetics.
Ancient theories of pangenesis and blood in heredity.
Preformation and natural selection.
The work of Mendel.
How the gene idea became reality.
The discovery of linked genes.
Early molecular genetics.
DNA and the genetic code.
Recombinant DNA technology and the polymerase chain reaction.
Evolution.
The work of Charles Darwin.
The Darwinian aftermath.
The synthetic theory.
Molecular biology and Earth sciences.
Ecology.
Mathematics and the Physical sciences.
Arabic numerals.
The calculus.
The precalculus period.
Newton and Leibniz.
The atomic theory.
The roots of astronomy.
The scientific revolution.
A preponderance of theories.
Gravitational theory.
Special relativity.
Light and the ether.
Einstein’s gedankenexperiments.
Starting points and postulates.
Relativistic space and time.
Cosmic speed limit.
General relativity.
Principle of equivalence.
Curved space-time and geometric gravitation.
Quantum mechanics.
Planck's radiation law.
Einstein and the photoelectric effect.
Bohr's theory of the atom.
Scattering of x-rays.
Broglie's wave hypothesis.
The expanding universe: the big bang theory.
The evolution of stars and the formation of chemical elements.
Solar-system astronomy.
Plate tectonics.
Alfred Wegener and the concept of continental drift.
Isostasy.
Driving forces.
Evidence supporting the hypothesis.
Paleomagnetism, polar wandering, and continental drift.
Gestation and birth of plate tectonic theory.
Determination of plate thickness.
Plate-driving mechanisms and the role of the mantle.
Geologic time.
Knowledge of landforms and of land-sea relations.
Paleontology and stratigraphy.
William Smith and faunal succession.
Charles Lyell and uniformitarianism.
Louis Agassiz and the Ice age.
Geologic time and the age of the Earth.
The Arts.
Perspective.
Abstract art.
Impressionism.
Expressionism.
The visual arts.
Literature and drama.
Other arts.
Cubism.
Origins of the style.
The first phase.
The second phase: analytical cubism.
The third phase: synthetic cubism.
Modernism.
Modernism in literature.
Modernism in other arts and architecture.
Harmony.
The roots of harmony.
Harmony before the common practice period.
Classical western harmony.
Montage.
Theory of architecture.
Distinction between the history and theory of architecture.
Distinction between the theory of architecture and the theory of art.
Functionalism.
The art of building.
«Commodity, firmness, and delight»: the ultimate synthesis.
Green architecture.
The rise of Eco-awareness.
Green design takes root.
The principles of building green.
The challenges to architecture.
Urban planning.
The development of urban planning.
Urban form.
The scope of planning.
The social sciences, philosophy, and religion.
Mass production.
The industrial revolution and early developments.
Pioneers of mass production methods.
Manufacturing pioneers.
Theories of child development.
Psychoanalytic theories.
Piaget's theory.
Learning theory.
Psychoanalytic theory.
Screen memories.
The interpretation of dreams.
Further theoretical development.
Human rights.
Conscience.
Sin.
Soul.
The problem of Evil.
The problem.
Theistic responses.
Just war.
Natural law.
Punishment.
Theories and objectives of punishment.
Punishment in Islamic law.
Punishment in Asian societies.
Utopia.
Monotheism.
Politics and the law.
Neutrality.
Due process.
Democracy.
History.
Contemporary democratic systems.
Equal protection.
International law.
Definition and scope.
Historical development.
International law and municipal law.
Social contract.
Absolutism.
Nationalism.
The identification of state and people.
Cultural nationalism.
European nationalism.
Asian and African nationalism.
Intellectual-property law.
The emergence of intellectual-property law.
Internet domain names.
The world trade organization and intellectual-property law.
Economic and ethical issues.
Theoretical debates.
Trends.
Glossary.
For Further Reading.
Index.