From Mineralogy to Geology: The Foundations of a Science, 1650-1830 (Science and Its Conceptual Foundations series)

Instead of exploring the development of historical geology, Laudan looks at the history of geology from the development of 'causal geology,' rooted in the disciplines of mineralogy and cosmogony. This book investigates the influence of different schools of thought on early geology, including the Becher-Stahl School and the often underappreciated Wernerian tradition. From Mineralogy to Geology challenges the commonly held view that geology emerged as a separate scientific speciality in early nineteenth-century Britain. By examining earlier scientific traditions in continental Europe, Rachel Laudan traces the intellectual roots of geology to mineralogy and chemical cosmogony. In discussing the relations between historical and causal theories in geology, the interplay of theory and evidence, and the effect of social influences, Laudan uses the history of geology to explore the nature of science in general. -- from back cover Geology, according to most histories of the field, emerged as a separate scientific specialty in early nineteenth-century Britain, where its practitioners attempted to understand the development of the earth's crust and to free geology from the Biblical account of creation. In From Mineralogy to Geology, Rachel Laudan presents a challenging alternative view. By examining earlier scientific traditions in continental Europe, she traces the intellectual roots of geology to mineralogy and chemical cosmogony. Title Page Contents Figures Acknowledgments 1 - The Conceptual Foundations of Geology 2 - Mineralogy and Cosmogony in the Late Seventeenth Century 3 - The Becher-Stahl School of Mineralogy and Cosmogony, 1700-1780 4 - The Botanical Model Rejected 5 - Werner and the "School of Freiberg" 6 - The Huttonian Alternative 7 - Historical Geology 8 - Wernerian Causal Geology 9 - Lyell's Geological Logic 10 - Postscript Notes Bibliography Index "A fine treatment of this critical time in geology's history. Although it goes against our standard histories of the field, Laudan defends her views convincingly. Her style is direct, with carefully reasoned personal opinions and interpretations clearly defined." Jere H. Lipps, "The Scientist"" In this book I attempt to answer questions that puzzled me as an undergraduate studying geology in the 1960s, when foundational issues were crowded out by the mass of material to be covered. Rachel Laudan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 236-268) And Index.