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Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was a nineteenth century English scientist. He is best known for his contributions to the science of evolution where he proposed that all life had evolved from a common ancestry. He also produced many other books with focuses in the fields of psychology, geology and biology among others.
Below is a link to a short primmer on Darwin's beginning theory of evolution during a voyage to the Galapagos islands in 1822. https://youtu.be/T0B6os-6uuc -
Young Darwin
Much of what we know of Darwin from as a child are reports from his children or from his autobiography. He described himself as a "naughty" child, stealing fruit from the neighbors orchard and that he sought to be the center of attention. he was an awkward, clumsy boy . Surprisingly, he was a poor student and was described as being lazy. His formal education included, the University of Edinburgh and Cambridge University. It was at Cambridge that he in earnest became a naturalist. -
The stucture of coral reefs
Darwin is credited with helping to prove Charles Lyell's theory of the earths crust shifting over time by demonstrating that coral reefs were formed through uplift and subsidence of the earths crust. For his work writing, The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs, he was awarded the Royal Society's Royal Medal.
Publication
Darwin, C., Barrett, P. H., & Freeman, R. B. (1987). The works of Charles Darwin. Structure and distribution of coral reefs. New York: New York University Press. -
On the Origin of Species
Darwin's most significant contribution to natural science was his theory of natural selection, the process of adaptation by living organisms to their environment. This was accomplished through selective reproduction of the organism resulting in changes to its genetic composition. His written work, On the Origin of Species, published in 1859.
Publications:
Darwin, C. (2008). Charles Darwin on the origin of species. New York: Sterling. -
The Psycology of Darwin
One of Darwin's later written works was, The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, a significant contribution to the field of psychology. Its focus was on the similarities of modern human emotions and physical expression of them to those of animals. It is theorized that Darwin took an interest in psychology due to his tumultuous relationship with his father.
Publication:
Darwin, C. (2015). The expression of the emotions in man and animals. New York, NY: Wallachia. -
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Paul Feyerabend
Paul Feyerabend was a twentieth century philosopher of science. He is best known for his contributions the field of philosophy as an anarchist to the traditions of scientific methodology and prescribed norms within the community as a whole. He wrote many books on this topic during his 30 years at the University of California Berkeley.
The link below discusses the 'epistemological anarchism' of Paul Feyerabend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QgRFxr4tu8 -
Young Feyerabend
Paul Feyerabend was born January 13, 1924 in Vienna Austria. As a young man he was educated in Vienna, demonstrating an early interest in theatre and music. Upon graduating primary school in 1942 he was drafted into the German Arbeitsdienst (Reich labor service), and later joined the Army where he attended Officer training. While serving as a line officer he was shot three times, one of the bullets permanently damaged his spine, leaving him crippled for the remainder of his life. -
Anarchy in science
Perhaps his most famous work Feyerabends, “against method”. Originally “for and against method” co-written with Imre Lakatos, discussed the idea of methodological science obstructing the evolution of science. It also discussed in detail his ideas on scientific paradigms and the purpose for them. -
About Feyerabend at Berkeley
He often referred to himself as an entertainer, and that as such was more likely to be listened to. He was a professor at Berkeley during the Vietnam war, and the revolution that it inspired in America. This atmosphere supported anarchy and fighting the system played well with his teachings in the philosophy of science . He believed that science was the servant of power and his logic was easily and readily adopted by the students at the time. -
Paul Feyerabends written works
He made numerous written contributions to his field of study, including. Against method, science in a free society, and farewell to reason were among the more popular as they discussed Epistemological Anarchism, which argues against following rules in order to see all possible discoverable things. References:
Feyerabend, Paul. Against Method. Verso, 1975.
Feyerabend, Paul. Science in a Free Society. Verso, 1978.
Feyerabend, Paul. Farewell to Reason, Verso, 1987
