Jessica Riskin
Jessica Riskin is a historian of science, known for her work on the history of scientific thought and the interplay between science and society. She is a professor at Stanford University and has authored several influential books and articles in her field.
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
A History of the Centuries-Long Argument over What Makes Living Things Tick
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 12613th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon
