The Place of Science in Modern Civilisation, and Other Essays

"The Place of Science in Modern Civilisation, and Other Essays" by Thorstein Veblen is a compilation of writings that studies the importance of science to modern society in the early 1900s. It touches on the themes of science’s place within modern culture, how scientific ideas have changed, and how science relates to different parts of culture. Veblen uses both historical and philosophical ideas to show the basics of modern scientific thinking and what it means for society. The book begins by looking at the differences between modern society and older ones, pointing out that while modern society is good at factual knowledge and science, it falls behind in creative arts and spiritual understanding. It argues that the current belief in scientific knowledge has made it very important in modern society, even more so than older sources of authority like religion and mythology. By questioning the origin of the scientific "cult", it builds a path to understanding how science is both a strength and a possible problem for people in today's world.