Religion, Technology, and the Great and Little Divergences

Karel Davids, Ph.D. in History, University of Leiden, is Professor of Economic and Social History at the VU University Amsterdam. He has published extensively on the history of technology, economic and social history and maritime history of the Netherlands and on themes in global history, including The Rise and Decline of Dutch Technological Leadership. Technology, Economy, and Culture in the Netherlands, 1350-1800 (BRILL 2008).

• Preface Introduction The Great Divergence Technological change in China and Europe Religion, the economy and technology before 1800: different views Weberian themes and the Little Divergence A long-term comparative approach 1. Religion and Visions on the Uses of Nature in China and Europe Visions of nature and the Great Divergence Visions of nature and the Little Divergence Conclusion 2. Religion and the Formation of Human Capital in China and Europe Variations in human capital formation Religious institutions and formal learning Religious institutions and informal learning Conclusion 3. Religion and the Circulation of Technical Knowledge in China and Europe Religion and the circulation of technical knowledge before 1500 Religion and the circulation of technical knowledge after 1500 Conclusion 4. Religion and Technical Innovation in China and Europe Religion, technical innovation and the Great Divergence Religion, technical innovation and the Little Divergence Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography Index

"Karel Davids' concise book [...] performs important work in evaluating earlier positions and pointing out new directions for research." - Jacob Eyferth, in: East Asian Science, Technology, and Medicine, Vol. 40 (2014), p. 94-99.