Jessica Riskin
Jessica Riskin is an American historian of science and a professor at Stanford University. She is known for her work on the history of science, particularly during the Enlightenment period. Riskin's research often explores the intersections of science, technology, and culture, with a focus on how scientific ideas and practices have shaped and been shaped by broader societal changes. She has written extensively on topics such as the history of automata, the relationship between science and religion, and the philosophical implications of scientific thought.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Restless Clock
This book delves into the historical debate over the nature of life and the mechanistic view of living beings, tracing its evolution from the early modern period to the present. It challenges the long-standing notion that machines and organisms are fundamentally different, arguing instead for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between mechanics and life. Through a detailed examination of philosophical, scientific, and technological developments, the work explores how ideas about automata and mechanical models have influenced and been influenced by evolving concepts of nature, life, and intelligence. The narrative weaves together stories of inventors, philosophers, and scientists who have contributed to the development of this complex discourse, offering a compelling argument for rethinking the boundaries between the animate and the inanimate.
The 9522nd Greatest Book of All Time
