1st Edition
Studies on Eighteenth-Century Geology
366 Pages
by
Routledge
366 Pages
by
Routledge
366 Pages
by
Routledge
Also available as eBook on:
In a scholarly career spanning five decades, Rhoda Rappaport published perceptive analyses of science in the culture of early Modern Europe, France in particular, with strong emphasis on geology's early development. Of the sixteen papers in this volume, most focus on aspects of geology's cultivation during the 'long' 18th century, from the times of Hooke, Leibniz, and Fontenelle to those of... Read more
Contents: Introduction; Bibliography; Part I Chemistry: G.-F. Rouelle: an 18th-century chemist and teacher; Rouelle and Stahl: the phlogistic revolution in France. Part II The Mineralogical Atlas: Lavoisier's geologic activities, 1763-1792; Lavoisier's theory of the Earth; The geological atlas of Guettard, Lavoisier and Monnet: conflicting views of the nature of geology; The early disputes between Lavoisier and Monnet, 1777-1781. Part III Understanding the Earth and Its History: Hooke on earthquakes: lectures, strategy and audience; Fontenelle interprets the Earth's history; Leibnitz on geology: a newly discovered text; Geology and orthodoxy: the case of Noah's Flood in 18th-century thought. Part IV The Language of Earth Science: Borrowed words: problems of vocabulary in 18th-century geology; Dangerous words: diluvialism, Neptunism, catastrophism. Part V Scientific Pursuits in Early Modern Europe: Italy and Europe: the case of Antonio Vallisneri (1661-1730); Baron d'Holbach's campaign for German (and Swedish) science; Government patronage of science in 18th-century France; The liberties of the Paris Academy of Sciences, 1716-1785; Index.
Biography
Rhoda Rappaport was Professor Emeritus of History at Vassar College, USA.
’[Rhoda Rappaport’s work] remains impressive for its detail, its erudition, its clarity and its impressively thorough examination of complex issues, all viewed through the lenses provided by detailed and extensive archival researches. As mentioned already, her contributions were of a quality and scholarly influence that were out of all proportion to their bulk.’ Metascience ’... this volume provides [...] rich insights on how the thought of an innovative historian of science evolves, turns to unexpected facts, broadens its scope and eventually addresses a variety of initially unforeseen questions along with their diverse ramifications.’ History of Geo- and Space Sciences 'This book is a deserved memorial volume...' Archives of Natural History 'The collection brings together a fine selection of important articles published by one of the leading twentieth-century experts on the social and scientific foundations of early modern geology.' Ambix
