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Genesis and Geology: A Study of the Relations of Scientific Thought, Natural Theology, and Social Opinion in Great Britain, 1790–1850, With a Foreword ... by the Author
First published in 1951, Genesis and Geology describes the background of social and theological ideas and the progress of scientific researches that, between them, produced the religious difficulties that afflicted the development of science in early industrial England. The book makes clear that the furor over On the Origin of Species was nothing earlier discoveries in science, particularly geology, had presented major challenges, not only to the literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis, but even more seriously to the traditional idea that Providence controls the order of nature with an eye to fulfilling divine purpose.
A new Foreword by Nicolaas Rupke places this book in the context of the last forty-five years of scholarship in the social history of evolutionary thought. Everyone interested in the history of modern science, in ideas, and in nineteenth-century England will want to read this book.
A new Foreword by Nicolaas Rupke places this book in the context of the last forty-five years of scholarship in the social history of evolutionary thought. Everyone interested in the history of modern science, in ideas, and in nineteenth-century England will want to read this book.
351 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1951
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 5, 2020
Short accessible work explaining the progress (or sometimes lack thereof) of geology from Hutton to Darwin (who was trained in the field before sailing on the Beagle). No technical knowledge needed to understand who were the BS vendors and the savants of their time.
Only real limitation, as another reviewer has mentioned, is that is is limited to English opinion, though Cuvier and Werner are also mentioned and to my mind dealt with fairly.
Only real limitation, as another reviewer has mentioned, is that is is limited to English opinion, though Cuvier and Werner are also mentioned and to my mind dealt with fairly.
February 4, 2015
A classic in the history of science, this account of the relationship of early nineteenth century (1790-1850, according to the subtitle) geology to natural theology in England broke new ground when it was written. It was the beginning of the "revisionist" view that considered the social context of science, but the author did not go to the lengths of the post-modernists of today in denying that some theories are more correct than others -- for which Rupke takes him to task in an article printed as the new preface. Gillispie responds very well in a new introduction. I was impressed (with hindsight) in just how balanced the account is. Definitely one of the better things I've read on the subject.
The biggest weakness -- which the author acknowledges -- is the limitation to England, which was in many respects very untypical of the current world state of science, and can give a false impression. Catastrophism for Cuvier was not what it was for Buckland et al., at least from what I've read so far (Rudwick's selections from Cuvier are next on my reading list.) The book does help me to understand some of the allusions presented without evidence in Bowler's Earth Encompassed. Some of the quotations are very revealing of the social ideas which were entwined with much of the early geology in England; it also helps to understand the "scientific" opposition to Darwin, which was not really based on Genesis but on a more general religious basis (the title is a little bit misleading, as the figures Gillispie discusses were not Biblical fundamentalists in the way the modern creationists are.)
The biggest weakness -- which the author acknowledges -- is the limitation to England, which was in many respects very untypical of the current world state of science, and can give a false impression. Catastrophism for Cuvier was not what it was for Buckland et al., at least from what I've read so far (Rudwick's selections from Cuvier are next on my reading list.) The book does help me to understand some of the allusions presented without evidence in Bowler's Earth Encompassed. Some of the quotations are very revealing of the social ideas which were entwined with much of the early geology in England; it also helps to understand the "scientific" opposition to Darwin, which was not really based on Genesis but on a more general religious basis (the title is a little bit misleading, as the figures Gillispie discusses were not Biblical fundamentalists in the way the modern creationists are.)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews