The purpose of this paper is the discussion of a recent article presented by Joel Mokyr
who offered, according to his own words, a new “variant of the European Miracle question”1.
The main thesis of his article The Great Synergy: the European Enlightenment as a factor in
Modern Economic growth points to the European Enlightenment as being a crucial factor for
attaining and establishing modern, i.e. sustainable economic growth in Europe once the
British Industrial Revolution had overcome its humble beginnings at the end of the eighteenth
century.
Mokyr argues that the stability of economic growth which was reached in Europe after
1825 was to a great extent due to a new attitude towards the relation between technology and
progress. This new attitude was the result of a development that had its roots in the European
Enlightenment where the foundations for a new understanding of science and technology
were laid. The outcome of this development was the unique ‘idea of research’ that made
scientists and craftsmen cooperate, giving way to a very fruitful convergence of science and
technology that helped making sustainable economic growth possible. This evolution mingled
with the modification of institutional mechanisms which was a result of the Enlightenment,
too. These two trends both formed a ‘Great Synergy’ that finally yielded the ‘European
Miracle’.
To prove and strengthen his thesis, Mokyr compares the history of European sciences
with those practiced in China coming to see that Chinese sciences were confined to and
restricted by the Mandarin rulers, thus a situation similar to pre-enlightened Europe. But his
comparisons to the Asian continent are limited to the situation in China. It could therefore be
telling to have a look at Indian sciences, especially when discovering that India “had a wellestablished
scientific and technological tradition of its own long before being subjected to an
extended period of European colonial rule”2. Going deeper into Indian history we will see,
that on top of that, before the colonization by the British, “traditional knowledge generated
large-scale economic productivity for Indians”3. Departing from these considerations, the present paper will put Mokyr’s assumption under inspection examining the Indian history of
science and technology.
The arising problem is thus twofold, implicating questions that are clearly inter-related
with each other and which are touching fields both of science and economy.
[...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Mokyr: The Great Synergy
- History of science and technology in India
- The Harrapan period
- Vedic Period and Classical Age
- The Indo-Muslim synthesis
- Impediments to Indian science and development
- Conclusions
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines Joel Mokyr's thesis on the European Enlightenment's role in modern economic growth, specifically questioning its applicability to India's history of science and technology. It investigates why India's long tradition of scientific advancement didn't translate into the same kind of "useful knowledge" that fueled European development. The paper also explores whether the European "idea of research" was truly crucial for sustainable growth or if other factors played a more significant role.
- The role of the European Enlightenment in fostering modern economic growth.
- A comparative analysis of the development of science and technology in Europe and India.
- The impact of institutional frameworks and ideological shifts on scientific progress.
- The relationship between scientific advancement and economic development.
- Examination of impediments to the application of scientific knowledge in India.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces Joel Mokyr's thesis regarding the European Enlightenment's contribution to modern economic growth and proposes a comparative study with India's scientific and technological history. It questions the universality of Mokyr's model, highlighting the significant scientific traditions in pre-colonial India and posing the central question of why India's scientific advancements didn't lead to comparable economic development. The chapter establishes the research problem: analyzing the disparity between European and Indian scientific trajectories and their respective impacts on economic growth. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Indian scientific history and an assessment of Mokyr's arguments within that context.
Mokyr: The Great Synergy: This chapter summarizes Mokyr's argument that the European Enlightenment fostered a "Great Synergy" between a new belief in technological progress and institutional changes, leading to sustainable economic growth. Mokyr emphasizes the "idea of research," the dissemination of knowledge through open science, and the cooperation between theoretical science and practical application. The chapter also highlights the ideological shift toward economic liberalism, eliminating obstacles like guilds and mercantilism. This synergy, according to Mokyr, was essential for the European "Miracle" of sustained economic growth. This chapter provides the theoretical framework against which the Indian case will be analyzed.
History of science and technology in India: This chapter offers a broad overview of the history of science and technology in India, encompassing the Harrapan period, the Vedic and Classical ages, and the Indo-Muslim synthesis. It touches upon significant achievements and advancements in various fields during these periods without delving into excessive detail. The chapter serves as a necessary background for understanding the pre-colonial scientific landscape in India and forms a basis for the subsequent analysis of why this knowledge base did not translate into a similar economic trajectory as Europe’s. The chapter acknowledges the evolving historiography on Indian science, highlighting recent contributions that challenge earlier narratives.
Keywords
European Enlightenment, modern economic growth, science and technology in India, "Great Synergy," useful knowledge, institutional frameworks, economic liberalism, technological progress, Indian scientific traditions, comparative analysis, economic development.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper examines Joel Mokyr's thesis on the European Enlightenment's role in modern economic growth and its applicability to India. It investigates why India's long tradition of scientific advancement didn't translate into the same kind of economic growth experienced in Europe, comparing the scientific and technological trajectories of both regions.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the role of the European Enlightenment in fostering economic growth, a comparative analysis of science and technology development in Europe and India, the impact of institutional frameworks and ideological shifts on scientific progress, the relationship between scientific advancement and economic development, and an examination of impediments to the application of scientific knowledge in India.
What is Joel Mokyr's "Great Synergy" theory?
Mokyr's theory posits that the European Enlightenment fostered a "Great Synergy" between a new belief in technological progress and institutional changes, leading to sustainable economic growth. This involved the "idea of research," knowledge dissemination through open science, cooperation between theoretical and practical application, and a shift towards economic liberalism.
What historical periods of Indian science and technology are discussed?
The paper covers the Harrapan period, the Vedic and Classical ages, and the Indo-Muslim synthesis, outlining significant achievements in various fields during these eras.
What is the central research question?
The central question is why India's significant scientific advancements in pre-colonial times did not lead to comparable economic development as seen in Europe. The paper seeks to analyze the disparity between the two regions' scientific trajectories and their respective impacts on economic growth.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The summaries cover the introduction (setting the research problem), a summary of Mokyr's "Great Synergy" theory, a broad overview of the history of science and technology in India across different historical periods, and conclusions (not fully detailed in the provided preview).
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include European Enlightenment, modern economic growth, science and technology in India, "Great Synergy," useful knowledge, institutional frameworks, economic liberalism, technological progress, Indian scientific traditions, comparative analysis, and economic development.
What is the overall goal or objective of this paper?
The paper aims to provide a comparative analysis of the development of science and technology in Europe and India, examining the factors that contributed to the divergent economic outcomes despite India’s long history of scientific achievements. It challenges the universality of Mokyr's model by considering the specific context of India.
- Quote paper
- Nadja Schuppenhauer (Author), 2008, History of Science and Technology in India in the Context of the 'Great Synergy', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/136089
