Seduction and the peacock: Charles Darwin and sexual selection
August 2022
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Other
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Clio
4405 Gender Studies, 4303 Historical Studies, 43 History, Heritage and Archaeology, 44 Human Society
Edinburgh Lamarckians? The Authorship of Three Anonymous Papers (1826-1829).
September 2021
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Journal article
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Journal of the history of biology
In the space of four years, from 1826 to 1829, the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal published three anonymous articles seemingly advocating doctrines inspired by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. Decades of scholarship have initially attributed the most outspoken of the three articles, the 1826 "Observations on the Nature and Importance of Geology," to Robert Grant, and subsequently to Robert Jameson, thanks to a critical reassessment by James Secord (1991). More recently, scholars have also ascribed to Jameson an article published in 1829, "Of the Continuity of the Animal Kingdom by Means of Generation from the First Ages of the World to the Present Times." A third short contribution, the 1827 "Of the Changes which Life has Experienced on the Globe" has been credited to the Franco-German Ami Boué. Research undertaken over several years has led to the identification of the three authors hiding behind the veil of anonymity. They were not the ones scholars have agreed upon, nor were they really "Lamarckians." The discussion of the ways in which the three texts reached Edinburgh broadens our understanding of the daily working practices of contemporary periodicals and of the networks of circulation of texts at the Continental level. Finally, when considered within their proper conceptual and social context, the three articles throw light on the many ways in which, during the 1820s, European amateurs, naturalists, and journalists debated the succession of life forms throughout the history of the Earth.
Charles Darwin. Antologia di testi
January 2019
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Book
Science
Jutta Schickore. About Method: Experimenters, Snake Venom, and the History of Writing Scientifically.
December 2018
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Journal article
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The American Historical Review
4303 Historical Studies, 43 History, Heritage and Archaeology
What do you mean by a periodical? Forms and functions
December 2016
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Journal article
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Notes and records of the Royal Society of London
The word ‘periodical’ immediately calls to mind huge stacks of bound volumes neatly arranged on library shelves. Yet, in historical terms, it would be hard to claim that ‘periodical’ is a word endowed with a definite and univocal connotation. Even the criterion of ‘periodicity’ leaves a lot out of account. Forms historically assumed by periodicals often envisaged regular schedules of appearance, but this was often more of a wish than a reality. Thus, great care needs to be taken in accepting at face value the dating of issues and volumes. Scientific periodicals, whether purely professional or purely commercial (and the many forms in between), existed in given historical circumstances and had to compete with different and alternative forms of publication which were also issued in instalments (especially dictionaries and encyclopaedias). They were not the only or even the preferred vehicle for a scientist to communicate or engage in debate. The role of the reading public, in science as well as in many other matters, was never one of a passive receiver: during the long nineteenth century, in several countries, readers claimed the right to intervene in scientific debates, and favoured publications that appeared to accommodate their demands.
Science, History, 19th Century, Publications, Publishing, Europe, Periodicals as Topic
Five Questions on Thomas Kuhn
January 2014
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Journal article
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GALILAEANA-JOURNAL OF GALILEAN STUDIES
L’evoluzionismo prima di Darwin.
January 2014
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Book
The revolutions of evolution: Geoffroy and Lamarck, 1825-1840
May 2012
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Journal article
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Bulletin du Musée d’Anthropologie préhistorique de Monaco
Idola Tribus: Lamarck, Politics and Religion in the Early NineteenthCentury
January 2012
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Chapter
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The Theory of Evolution and Its Impact
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. From Myth to History
April 2011
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Chapter
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Transformations of Lamarckism
A reappraisal of Lamarckism--its historical impact and contemporary significance.
Biography & Autobiography
Evolution pioneers: Lamarck's reputation saved by his zoology.
September 2009
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Journal article
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Nature
Animals, Geology, History, 19th Century, Zoology
Fossils and reputations
January 2008
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Book
Geologists
Introduction to thematic set of papers on geological surveys
January 2007
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Conference paper
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Earth Sciences History
Much ado about nothing: The Italian geological survey, 1861-2006
January 2007
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Conference paper
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Earth Sciences History
Established on 12 December 1861, soon after the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in January 1861, the Geological Survey of the peninsula enjoyed a remarkably difficult life, and achieved remarkably little. Since its inception, the rivalry between academic geologists and the engineers of the Royal Mining Corps acting as field surveyors did much to alienate political and public opinion support. Underfunded and understaffed, the Survey faced periodical crisis and periodical reforms. On at least four occasions (1861, 1873, the early 1920s and 1960), the help of influential politicians concerned with the lack of a functioning State Survey, or with the very slow pace of publication of the geological map of the country, produced beneficial effects and brisk activity. This never lasted longer than a few years. In the last four decades of the twentieth century, the growth of the politically powerful community of geophysicists and the lack of political initiative and Parliamentary supervision further marginalized the Geological Survey, up to its relegation to a subordinate role within the State Agency for the Protection of the Environment.
Science and polity in France: The Revolutionary and Napoleonic years.
January 2006
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Journal article
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BRITISH JOURNAL FOR THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE
After the Revolution: scientific language and French politics, 1795–1802
January 2005
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Chapter
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Practice of Reform in Health, Medicine, and Science, 1500–2000 Essays for Charles Webster
Taking their inspiration from the work of Charles Webster, the essays in this volume consider the effect that demands for social and political reform have had on the theory and, above all, the practice of medicine and science, and on the ...
SBTMR
Before darwin: transformist concepts in European natural history.
January 2005
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Journal article
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Journal of the history of biology
Lack of consideration of the complex European scientific scene from the late 18th century to the mid-decades of the 19th century has produced partial and often biased reconstructions of priorities, worries, implicit and explicit philosophical and at times political agendas characterizing the early debates on species. It is the purpose of this paper firstly to critically assess some significant attempts at broadening the historiographic horizon concerning the immediate context to Darwin's intellectual enterprise, and to devote the second part to arguing that a multi-faceted European debate on the transformation of life forms had already occurred in Europe around 1800. Of this debate, contrary to long cherished views, Lamarck's was only one voice, amongst many. Naturalists active in different national contexts elaborated solutions and proposed doctrines that shared several viewpoints, yet clearly stemmed from a variety of disciplinary traditions and problematic contexts.
[Lamarck's teaching on invertebrates at Paris's National Museum of Natural History between 1795-1823].
January 2002
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Journal article
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Revue d'histoire de la pharmacie
Lamarck's teaching attracted nearly a thousand students. At least forty of them were (or became) pharmacists. Many practised in chemist's or military dispensaries. Some were known as scientists, either chemists (Braconnot, Duspasquier, Macaire), botanists (Bonnemaison, Nestler, Robert) or naturalists and travellers (Aucher-Elroy, Fontanier). Further research is necessary to elucidate the role of these pharmacists in the diffusion of scientific ideas, chiefly the transformists ones, during the nineteenth century.
Natural History, Teaching, Museums, History, 18th Century, History, 19th Century, Pharmacists, France
Lamarck. Genèse et enjeux du transformisme, 1770-1830
January 2001
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Book
Evolution, Evolution; Science and Society;
NUNCIUS
January 2000
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Journal article
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Nuncius
50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, 5002 History and Philosophy Of Specific Fields
Sciences et langues en Europe
January 2000
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Book
Les rapports entre la science et les langues se sont inscrits, depuis le Moyen Âge, entre le constat de l’irréductible multiplicité des langues nationales et l’aspiration à la restauration (ou l’invention) d’une langue universelle. Le dossier, ici présenté, est organisé à partir de trois contrastes. Le premier oppose les langues vernaculaires et la langue universelle qui, parce qu’elle est originaire, rétablit une unité première. Au fil des siècles, l’hébreu, le latin, l’égyptien, le chinois, ont tenu le rôle de cette langue. Un second clivage oppose langues naturelles et langue parfaite. Seule, cette dernière peut assurer une adéquation absolue et exhaustive entre les signes et les réalités. D’où la quête sans relâche de cette langue idéale de la science. Enfin, vient l’opposition entre langues vernaculaires et langues véhiculaires. Ces dernières promettent une universalité de substitution. Il en allait ainsi avec le latin de la République des lettres (qui était aussi celle des sciences) entre Moyen Âge et xviie siècle. Il en va ainsi avec l’anglais dans la communauté scientifique contemporaine. Préférences et résistances sont ici gouvernées par des rapports de force linguistique qui expriment, à leur manière, d’autres inégalités.
Science
A Devil's Chaplain's Calling?
March 1998
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Journal article
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Journal of Victorian Culture
4702 Cultural Studies, 4705 Literary Studies, 43 History, Heritage and Archaeology, 47 Language, Communication and Culture, 4303 Historical Studies
Le Muséum au premier siècle de son histoire colloque international, Paris, juin 1993
January 1997
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Book
1793, la Convention nationale crée le Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. Le décret du 10 juin confie à ce qui fut le Jardin du roi, la tâche d'enseigner cette discipline au peuple.
Nature
La fabbrica del pensiero dall'arte della memoria alle neuroscienze
January 1992
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Book
Transcultural dimensions in medical ethics
January 1992
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Book
Philosophy
The Enchanted Loom.
January 1991
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Book
Written by an international team of scientists and historians, this book offers a sweeping view of the history of neuroscience, from the philosophy of Aristotle to the field of artificial intelligence. Contributors discuss Descartes' contributions to thought about the brain, alongside studies of the central nervous system that he and artists like da Vinci executed. They show how phrenology - the long discredited study of the relation between skull shape and mental faculties - actually represented a breakthrough in thinking about localized brain functions. The essays follow the history up to the present day, describing the emergence of the modern neurosciences in such fields as artificial intelligence.
The Age of Lamarck Evolutionary Theories in France 1790-1830
January 1989
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Book
Evolution
Science and Religion Baden Powell and the Anglican Debate, 1800-1860
May 1988
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Book
Science and Religion assesses the impact of social, political and intellectual change upon Anglican circles, with reference to Oxford University in the decades that followed the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars.
Biography & Autobiography
Information sources in the history of science and medicine
January 1983
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Book
Medical
Oltre il mito Lamarck e le scienze naturali del suo tempo
January 1983
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Book
Science
The Importance of French Transformist Ideas for the Second Volume of Lyell'S Principles of Geology
November 1978
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Journal article
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The British Journal for the History of Science
4303 Historical Studies, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, 43 History, Heritage and Archaeology, 5002 History and Philosophy Of Specific Fields