Turning Points in Western Technology: A Study of Technology, Science and History

Description

cited in:

• Jaki, Stanley L., O.S.B., “The Virgin Birth and the Birth of Science,” The Downside Review 107, no. 369 (October 1, 1989): 255–73. [cf. this Christianity StackExchange answer]

p. 256 (PDF p. 2) cites Cardwell p. 14 (PDF p. 30) re: medieval cathedral clocks converting accelerated montion into constant-velocity motion (verge [& palette] escapement mechanism), how the Church's teaching that the universe is not eternal and was created in time improved scientific progress, whereas Aristotle, who believed the universe is eternal, thought "that the crafts and arts or the sciences and technology of his day stood at their highest possible development." (p. 257, PDF p. 3)! Jaki says that there was no material gain for inventing the mechanical clock, because "Monasteries, the great civilizing force of Europe, had had for eight hundred years an accurate daily schedule without the help of mechanical clocks." (p. 256, PDF p. 3), but there was a spiritual gain of making the most of the present time (Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5: "redeeming the time", tempus redimentes), so spiritual motives contribute to scientific progress!