Author Description
Here is a new edition of a widely acclaimed account of the great historical controversies in geology--a book that covers many of the most important ideas that have emerged since the birth of the subject. This edition includes a new chapter on the emergence of stratigraphy in the nineteenth focusing on controversies surrounding the Cambrian-Silurian and Devonian. Another new chapter reviews the mass extinction theory, which is still under heated debate. Other chapters have been revised to reflect recent developments and changes in the field.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical development of geological science by examining the major intellectual conflicts and debates that have shaped the discipline since its inception. Author A. Hallam, a distinguished geologist, utilizes historical records and scientific literature to analyze how competing theories regarding Earth's formation and history were resolved or transformed over time. The text provides a structured framework for understanding the evolution of geological thought through the lens of scientific disagreement and paradigm shifts.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Historical analysis of the Cambrian-Silurian and Devonian stratigraphy debates
- Examination of the mass extinction theory and its ongoing scientific discourse
- Case studies on the evolution of geological concepts from the nineteenth century to the present
- Evaluation of how empirical evidence and theoretical frameworks interact within the earth sciences
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the history of geological thought and the nature of scientific progress. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the clarity with which Hallam navigates complex theoretical disputes.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
1990-02-22
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198582188
ISBN-13:
9780198582182
Science
Geology
Earth Science
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