TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A Traditional Chinese edition of "The Jews and Science: The Quest for Knowledge in the Twentieth Century" is being introduced to readers in Taiwan, offering a cultural and historical perspective on how Jewish intellectual traditions helped shape modern science.
The book, written by Swiss physicist and science historian Isaac Benguigui, examines the role of Jewish thought, education, and community life in scientific breakthroughs throughout the twentieth century. Rather than focusing solely on technical discoveries, the work explores how cultural values and ways of thinking influenced the pursuit of knowledge.
The Traditional Chinese edition, published by Habsburg Asia, aims to promote cross-cultural dialogue between Europe and the Chinese-speaking world. The publisher described the book as part of a broader effort to introduce global intellectual history to readers in Taiwan and beyond.
Benguigui, who earned his master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Geneva and later conducted research at the University of California, Berkeley, has long worked at the intersection of physics and the history of science. He has also curated major science-history exhibitions in Europe, including projects related to Albert Einstein and the scientific heritage of Geneva.
The English edition has drawn attention from the scientific community. In the foreword, Maurice Jacob of CERN notes that the book offers a broad, historically grounded overview of twentieth-century scientific development.
With its release in Traditional Chinese, the book is expected to appeal to readers in Taiwan interested in science, history, and the cultural forces behind major intellectual movements. The publisher said the book offers an opportunity for local audiences to reflect on how knowledge is shaped not only by individuals, but also by the societies in which they live.