For several reasons, the history of science is a central area in the contemporary humanities. On the one hand, it is the focal point of the studies about science and technology, since it contributes, alongside with the sociology of science, to the greatest part of empirical studies concerning what is possible to base on reflection, and the adequate analysis of the sciences and technology.

The relationship between the history of science and philosophy of science has been traditionally considered one of competence and mutual contribution (there has been talk of a ‘forced marriage’, but there has also been some talk of a ‘crazy love’), and the panorama today has broadened to include many other studies about science and technology.

On the other hand, the history of science has contributed with one of the most fruitful links between the different aspects of science and the humanities, by being strongly hankered in both. In its methodological and written traditions, history incorporates the core of occidental humanist thought, but when it must investigate the scientific phenomenon in all of its dimensions it is required to makes space for the ways of understanding and acting of the sciences and technology. This makes of the practice of the history of science an intense intellectual, diverse, and highly satisfactory activity, as well as useful.

The recent years have witnessed the dramatic development of the studies in this area, and our images of science and technology have been enrichened and strengthened by this. It is no longer possible to understand the tecno-scientific phenomenon without locating it in its historic and geographic dimensions. The history of science it no longer the history of great men and great theories; today, it has become unavoidable to understand the history of science and technology in the diverse situations and contexts in which they have occurred and keep occurring. The history of the science in Mexico and the Iberic-American region has grown for reasons for importance and urgency.