1 The Birth of Science - MSRI

9
Science, Technology and Economy
9.1 Modernism and Primitivism
In the mid-century Social & economic history of the Hellenistic world we read:
We may accept, for instance, the view of many modern scholars, that
the brilliant development of exact science in the Hellenistic period
contributed largely to the improvement of methods of production
and exchange, by the invention of new technical devices in the economic
spheres in question. 1
Leaving exchange aside for the moment, we can analyze the opinion that
Rostovtzeff accepts and summarizes in this passage by splitting it into
four theses:
1. During the Hellenistic period there was a brilliant development of exact
science.
2. Hellenistic science had nonmarginal technological applications.
3. Potentially important applications of scientific technology to production
methods were devised.
4. Some of these applications were in fact used to a significant extent, leading
to appreciable economic progress.
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Rostovtzeff’s modernist theses contrast with the views of primitivists
who have denied all four points above.
Thesis 1 might seem downright obvious. But for a long time a majority
of scholars maintained primitivist views even on science proper, engaging page 266
1 [Rostovtzeff: SEHHW], vol. II, p. 1180.