Talk about the invention of the printing press. Johannes Gutenburg invented it during the Industrial Revolution. (I don't know the date off the top of my head.) But before the advent of the printing press, few people could read, because books were inaccessible. They had to be copied by hand and were very expensive.
Once the printing press was invented, the proliferation of books, new ideas, and education became widespread and mainstream. Without books, people couldn't think for themselves. They had to believe what people told them. With books, they were able to expose themselves to alternate viewpoints, and subscribe to their own beliefs.
Certainly, Charles Darwin's book The Origin of Species is another example of a book having intellectual value. This is the book that introduced the idea of evolution and challenged the mainstream's belief in intelligent design. Darwin and his book was and still are extremely controversial. Debates rage across the country about whether evolution and intelligent design should be taught in schools.
Harriet Beecher Stowe's book Uncle Tom's Cabin was a fictional account that fueled the antislavery movement.
Upton Sinclair's The Jungle told of the deplorable conditions in the meat packing industry and initiated a movement for reform.
Books are mines of intellectual wealth, because they introduce people to new ideas and alternate viewpoints. They have the power to initiate change, to advance society, and to change lives.
Hope this helps!
Once the printing press was invented, the proliferation of books, new ideas, and education became widespread and mainstream. Without books, people couldn't think for themselves. They had to believe what people told them. With books, they were able to expose themselves to alternate viewpoints, and subscribe to their own beliefs.
Certainly, Charles Darwin's book The Origin of Species is another example of a book having intellectual value. This is the book that introduced the idea of evolution and challenged the mainstream's belief in intelligent design. Darwin and his book was and still are extremely controversial. Debates rage across the country about whether evolution and intelligent design should be taught in schools.
Harriet Beecher Stowe's book Uncle Tom's Cabin was a fictional account that fueled the antislavery movement.
Upton Sinclair's The Jungle told of the deplorable conditions in the meat packing industry and initiated a movement for reform.
Books are mines of intellectual wealth, because they introduce people to new ideas and alternate viewpoints. They have the power to initiate change, to advance society, and to change lives.
Hope this helps!
