History of the Inductive Sciences, from the Earliest to the Present Time

A comprehensive historical account written in the late 19th century. The work aims to examine the evolution of physical sciences from their inception to contemporary understanding, emphasizing significant discoveries and their contexts. It explores how human knowledge developed through observation and reasoning, casting light on the journey toward acquiring scientific truths. The opening of the work establishes Whewell's ambitious purpose of detailing the pivotal moments in the history of physical sciences. He introduces the concept of inductive reasoning as a vital process through which scientific knowledge is formed, distinguishing it from other types of knowledge. Whewell affirms the importance of both factual observation and rational thought in forming substantial general knowledge. Furthermore, he outlines his plan to highlight key epochs, significant figures, and events in the progression of scientific understanding, while also hinting at a future work that will delve into the philosophy underpinning the inductive sciences.