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Uncivilised
A science historian explores ten founding ideas of Western civilisation and unearths their flaws
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Brief Description
'A talented writer with much to say' BBC History Magazine 'Witty and accessible' - Angela Saini 'A vital piece of work in our challenging times' - Roma Agrawal 'Stunning' - Dan Hicks Uncivilised challenges the powerful brand of Western civilisation, which is filled with accepted wisdoms...
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreScience historian Subhadra Das explores ten founding ideas of Western civilisation, uncovers their flaws and urges us to look at the world with fresh eyes
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Description
'A talented writer with much to say' BBC History Magazine
'Witty and accessible' - Angela Saini
'A vital piece of work in our challenging times' - Roma Agrawal
'Stunning' - Dan Hicks
Uncivilised challenges the powerful brand of Western civilisation, which is filled with accepted wisdoms like 'knowledge is power', 'time is money', and 'justice is blind'βideas that we rarely question. With roots in Greek philosophy and refined during the Enlightenment, these notions about humanity and society have become tenets many of us live by today.
However, upon closer examination, these ideas appear less solid than they seem, with some being outright lies. This prompts us to question who truly benefits from these beliefs. What is the value of a scientific worldview that conjured up the concept of 'race'? Are the Western ideas of 'saving' and 'wasting' time truly the best ways to live? For whom are our laws genuinely designed to serve? And the crucial inquiry: is the West as civilised as it purports to be?
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781399704397
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 February 2025
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Coronet Books
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 24.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 220g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Subhadra Das is a writer, historian, broadcaster, and comedian who looks at the relationship between science and society. She specialises in the history and philosophy of science, particularly the history of scientific racism and eugenics. For nine years, she was Curator of the Science Collections at University College London, where, more recently, she was also Researcher in Critical Eugenics at the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism and Racialisation, working with Paul Gilroy. She has written and presented podcasts and stand-up comedy shows, curated museum exhibitions, and regularly appears on radio and TV.
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