Fun piece to read!

I highly recommend "The Knowledge Machine: How Irrationality Created Modern Science" by Michael Strevens. It's fascinating and illuminating, a relatively short and easy read, given its depth.

You seem to imply science developed organically. "The Knowledge Machine" shows that much more of a "perfect storm" chain of developments was required. It could well be as much of a revelation for you as it was for me! :)