The Gifts of Athena

The book explores the historical origins and mechanisms behind the knowledge economy, emphasizing the role of "useful" knowledge in driving economic and social change. Joel Mokyr argues that the remarkable growth in the modern West over the past two centuries was fueled not only by new technological ideas but also by enhanced access to these ideas through social networks like universities and publishers. Using rich historical evidence, he illustrates how shifts in the intellectual and social landscape contributed to the Industrial Revolution and ongoing technological advancement.