Science and Beliefs: From Natural Philosophy to Natural Science, 1700–1900 (Science, Technology and Culture, 1700-1945)

The years between 1700 and 1900 witnessed a fundamental transition in attitudes towards science, as earlier concepts of natural philosophy were replaced with a more modern conception of science. This process was by no means a simple progression, and the changing attitudes to science was marked by bitter arguments and fundamental differences of opinion, many of which are still not entirely resolved today. Approaching the subject from a number of cultural angles, the essays in this volume explore the fluid relationship between science and belief during this crucial period, and help to trace the development of science as an independent field of study that did not look to religion to provide answers to the workings of the universe. Taking a broadly chronological approach, each essay in this book addresses a theme that helps illuminate these concerns and highlights how beliefs - both religious and secular - have impinged and influenced the scientific world. By addressing such key issues such as the ongoing debate between Christian fundamentalists and followers of Darwin, and the rise of 'respectable atheism', fascinating insights are provided that help to chart the ever-shifting discourse of science and beliefs. Contents Acknowledgements List of Contributors Series Editor’s Preface INTRODUCTION 1 Science and Beliefs • David M. Knight PART I: BELIEFS WITHIN SCIENCE 2 The Metaphysics of Science in the Romantic Era • Barry Gower 3 Rearranging Seventeenth-Century Natural History into Natural Philosophy: Eighteenth-Century Editions of Boyle’s Works • Harriet Knight 4 Boundary Work: ‘National Quarrels and Party Factions’ in Eighteenth-Century British Botany • Susan McMahon 5 Sociability, Utility and Curiosity in the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, 1710–60 • Michael Honeybone 6 Set in Stone: Medicine and the Vocabulary of the Earth in Eighteenth-Century Scotland • Matthew D. Eddy 7 Scientific Servicemen in the Royal Navy and the Professionalisation of Science, 1816–55 • Randolph Cock 8 Expertise and Christianity: High Standards Versus the Free Market in Popular Publishing • Aileen Fyfe PART II: BELIEFS UNDERLYING SCIENCE 9 Darwinian ‘Becoming’ and Early Nineteenth-Century Historiography: The Cases of Jules Michelet and Thomas Carlyle • Richard Somerset 10 Charles Darwin: A Christian Undermining Christianity? • Momme von Sydow 11 Michael Faraday Meets the ‘High-Priestess of God’s Works’: A Romance on the Theme of Science and Religion • Geoffrey Cantor 12 An ‘Open Clash between Science and the Church’?: Wilberforce, Huxley and Hooker on Darwin at the British Association, Oxford, 1860 • Frank A.J.L. James 13 The Invention of Altruism: Auguste Comte’s Positive Polity and Respectable Unbelief in Victorian Britain • Thomas Dixon 14 The Radiometer and its Lessons: William Carpenter Versus William Crookes • William H. Brock 15 From Science to the Popularisation of Science: The Career of J. Arthur Thomson • Peter J. Bowler CONCLUSION 16 Concluding Reflections • John H. Brooke Index 1. Science And Beliefs / David M. Knight -- 2. The Metaphysics Of Science In The Romantic Era / Barry Gower -- 3. Rearranging Seventeenth-century Natural History Into Natural Philosophy : Eighteenth-century Editions Of Boyle's Works / Harriet Knight -- 4. Boundary Work : 'national Quarrels And Party Factions' In Eighteenth-century British Botany / Susan Mcmahon -- 5. Sociability, Utility And Curiosity In The Spalding Gentlemen's Society, 1710-1760 / Michael Honeybone -- 6. Set In Stone : Medicine And The Vocabulary Of The Earth In Eighteenth-century Scotland / Matthew D. Eddy -- 7. Scientific Servicemen In The Royal Navy And The Professionalisation Of Science, 1816-1855 / Randolph Cock -- 8. Expertise And Christianity : High Standards Versus The Free Market In Popular Publishing / Aileen Fyfe -- 9. Darwinian 'becoming' And Early Nineteenth-century Historiography : The Cases Of Jules Michelet And Thomas Carlyle / Richard Somerset -- 10. Charles Darwin : A Christian Undermining Christianity? / Momme Von Sydow -- 11. Michael Faraday Meets The 'high-priestess Of God's Works' : A Romance On The Theme Of Science And Religion / Geoffrey Cantor -- 12. An 'open Clash Between Science And The Church'? : Wilberforce, Huxley And Hooker On Darwin At The British Association, Oxford, 1860 / Frank A. J. L. James -- 13. The Invention Of Altruism : August Comte's Positive Polity And Respectable Unbelief In Victorian Britain / Thomas Dixon -- 14. The Radiometer And Its Lessons : William Carpenter Versus William Crookes / William H. Brock -- 15. From Science To The Popularization Of Science : The Career Of J. Arthur Thomson / Peter J. Bowler -- 16. Concluding Reflections / John H. Brooke. Edited By David M. Knight, Matthew Eddy. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In the summer of 1960 I was at Oxford, just finishing my degree examinations in chemistry and wondering how to spend my fourth year - Oxford being then a pioneer in the system of requiring from science undergraduates a year's work on a research project before graduation.