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Deconstructing Darwin: Evolutionary theory in context
1Department of Philosophy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208-1315, USA, d-hull@northwestern.edu.
Journal of the History of Biology
|September 13, 2014
Summary
Societal influences on science are complex. While Victorian England
Area of Science:
- History of Science
- Evolutionary Biology
- Sociology of Science
Background:
- Victorian England's society was highly competitive and individualistic.
- This societal context influenced scientific thought and theory development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine external versus internal explanations for the genesis and reception of evolutionary theory.
- To assess the impact of societal characteristics on scientific theories.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of the Victorian era.
- Comparative study of societal structures and scientific theories.
- Examination of the reception of Darwinian and Wallacean evolutionary ideas.
Main Results:
- Darwin and Wallace independently developed theories reflecting their society's competitive nature.
- The reception of evolutionary theory was influenced by societal values.
- The theory accepted was a modified, 'warmer' version, not the original competitive one.
Conclusions:
- Societal impact on science is evident in both theory genesis and reception.
- The popular reception of evolutionary theory adapted it to be more comforting than the original formulation.
- External societal factors played a significant role in shaping scientific discourse.
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