Cultural Meaning of Popular Science

Explore the fascinating intersection of science and society in Roger Cooter's insightful work, Cultural Meaning of Popular Science. Published by Cambridge University Press in 2005, this comprehensive study spans 436 pages and delves into the rise of phrenology during the early 19th century. Cooter examines how this popular scientific movement influenced social and ideological functions amidst the burgeoning urban industrial landscape of Great Britain.

Drawing on the theories of Foucault and integrating perspectives from the history and sociology of science, critical theory, and cultural anthropology, this book offers a rich analysis of the cultural dynamics at play. Ideal for readers interested in the history of medicine and the social aspects of science, Cultural Meaning of Popular Science provides a thought-provoking look at how popular scientific ideas shaped societal norms and beliefs in the United Kingdom.