George Sarton: Culture

George Sarton was American historian of science. Explore interesting quotes on culture.

George Sarton: 66 quotes0 likes

“Our own culture, of Greek and Hebraic origin, is the one that interests us the most… We do not say that it is the best culture, but simply that it is ours. To claim that it of necessity superior would be wrong and evil. That attitude is the main source of international trouble in the world. …Each nation prefers its own usages.”

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.1 Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece (1952)

“Greek culture is pleasant to contemplate because of its great simplicity and naturalness, and because of the absence of gadgets, each of which is sooner or later a cause of servitude.”

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.1 Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece (1952)

“In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and the general degree of illiteracy was very high…. the early men of science were left very much to themselves and such a phrase as "the scientific culture of Alexandria in the third century B. C." does not cover any reality. In a sense, this is still true today; the real pioneers are so far ahead of the crowd (even a very literate crowd) that they remain almost alone…”

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.2 Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C. (1959)

“The intensity of a national culture should be represented by… the general education level and… the exceptional merit of a small elite of pioneers.”

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.2 Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C. (1959)