Species, Serpents, Spirits, and Skulls : Science at the Margins in the Victorian Age

Science permeates nearly every aspect of our lives, and yet, as current debates over intelligent design, the causes of global warming, and alternative health practices indicate, the question of how to distinguish science from pseudoscience remains a difficult one. To address this question, Sherrie Lynne Lyons draws on four examples from the nineteenth century--sea serpent investigations, spiritualism, phrenology, and Darwin's theory of evolution. Each attracted the interest of prominent scientists as well as the general public, yet three remained at the edges of scientific respectability while the fourth, evolutionary theory, although initially regarded as scientific heresy, ultimately became the new scientific orthodoxy. Taking a serious look at the science behind these examples, Lyons argues that distinguishing between science and pseudoscience, particularly in the midst of discovery, is not as easy as the popular image of science tends to suggest. Two examples of present-day controversies surrounding evolutionary psychology and the meaning of fossils confirm this assertion. She concludes that although the boundaries of what constitutes science are not always clear-cut, the very intimate relationship between science and society, rather than being a hindrance, contributes to the richness and diversity of scientific ideas. Taken together, these entertaining and accessible examples illuminate important issues concerning the theory, practice, and content of science. Science Permeates Nearly Every Aspect Of Our Lives, And Yet, As Current Debates Over Intelligent Design, The Causes Of Global Warming, And Alternative Health Practices Indicate, The Question Of How To Distinguish Science From Pseudoscience Remains A Difficult One. To Address This Question, Sherrie Lynne Lyons Draws On Four Examples From The Nineteenth Century - Sea Serpent Investigations, Spiritualism, Phrenology, And Darwin's Theory Of Evolution. Each Attracted The Interest Of Prominent Scientists As Well As The General Public, Yet Three Remained At The Edges Of Scientific Respectability While The Fourth, Evolutionary Theory, Although Initially Regarded As Scientific Heresy, Ultimately Became The New Scientific Orthodoxy. Taking A Serious Look At The Science Behind These Examples, Lyons Argues That Distinguishing Between Science And Pseudoscience, Particularly In The Midst Of Discovery, Is Not As Easy As The Popular Image Of Science Tends To Suggest.--jacket. Introduction : An Age Of Transition -- Swimming At The Edges Of Scientific Respectability : Sea Serpents, Charles Lyell, And The Professionalization Of Geology -- Franz Gall, Johann Spurzheim, George Combe, And Phrenology : A Science For Everyone -- The Crisis In Faith : William Crookes And Spiritualism -- Morals And Materialism : Alfred Russel Wallace, Spiritualism, And The Problem Of Evolution -- Thatige Skepsis : Thomas Huxley And Evolutionary Theory -- Negotiating The Boundaries Of Science : An Ongoing Process. Sherrie Lynne Lyons. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Cover ......Page 1 Title Page ......Page 5 Copyright ......Page 6 Dedication ......Page 7 Contents......Page 9 Illustrations......Page 11 Preface......Page 13 Acknowledgments......Page 15 1. Introduction: An Age of Transition......Page 17 2. Swimming at the Edges of Scientific Respectability: Sea Serpents, Charles Lyell, and the Professionalization of Geology......Page 33 3. Franz Gall, Johann Spurzheim,George Combe, and Phrenology: A Science for Everyone......Page 67 4. The Crisis in Faith: William Crookes and Spiritualism......Page 103 5. Morals and Materialism: Alfred Russel Wallace, Spiritualism,and the Problem of Evolution......Page 127 6. Thatige Skepsis: Thomas Huxley and Evolutionary Theory......Page 163 7. Negotiating the Boundaries of Science: An Ongoing Process......Page 187 Notes......Page 221 Bibliography......Page 239 B......Page 251 C......Page 252 D......Page 253 F......Page 254 H......Page 255 L......Page 256 N......Page 257 P......Page 258 S......Page 259 T......Page 260 Untitled......Page 261 Back Cover ......Page 263