• Refine Query
  • Source
  • Publication year
  • to
  • Language
  • 39
  • 24
  • 8
  • 7
  • 5
  • 3
  • 3
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • Tagged with
  • 117
  • 74
  • 41
  • 27
  • 26
  • 25
  • 22
  • 22
  • 21
  • 17
  • 16
  • 15
  • 14
  • 13
  • 13
  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
111

Pensée, politique, totalitarisme : lire Platon avec Hannah Arendt

Lavallée, Marie-Josée 08 1900 (has links)
Cette étude, qui s'intéresse aux appropriations de l'Antiquité grecque au XXe siècle, se propose d'analyser les impacts de la lecture de Platon sur le développement de la pensée politique et éthique de Hannah Arendt. Notre approche du sujet est historique et philosophique. Premièrement, nous considérerons la toile de fond biographique, intellectuelle et historique de cette lecture. La relation intellectuelle entre Hannah Arendt et Martin Heidegger reçoit une attention particulière, puisque le Platon arendtien présente parfois des similarités avec celui de Heidegger. Nous considérerons également la réception de Platon en Allemagne entre la période de Weimar et l'après-guerre : les lectures idéologiques de l'époque nazie, et le débat autour du statut de Platon en tant qu'ancêtre du totalitarisme, clamé par Karl Popper, ont assombri la réputation philosophique de Platon jusqu'à la fin du XXe siècle. Nous trouvons des échos de ce climat intellectuel particulier dans le traitement de Platon chez Arendt. Dans un deuxième temps, nous examinerons les thèmes et les motifs de la lecture arendtienne en observant minutieusement une sélection d'ouvrages, d'essais, d'ébauches d'Arendt, en plus des notes du Journal de pensée (Denktagebuch) et des extraits de dialogues de Platon sur lesquels s'appuient sa lecture. Arendt déconstruit, transforme, altère et utilise ces textes afin de démontrer que notre tradition de pensée politique s'est édifiée sur un mépris de la politique qui trouve sa source dans la pensée platonicienne. Ce mépris culmine dans la pensée de Marx et le totalitarisme. Mais les réflexions d'Arendt sur la pensée, le jugement et la conscience, et son traitement du cas Eichmann suggère qu'elle s'approprie par moments la pensée de Platon. Des comparaisons avec d'autres penseurs émigrés allemands, qui s'inspirent aussi de Platon et des Grecs pour édifier leur pensée politique, Leo Strauss et Eric Voegelin, vont nous permettre d'affiner notre compréhension du Platon d'Arendt. / This study, which concerns the appropriations of Greek Antiquity in the 20th century, proposes to analyze the impacts of the reading of Plato on the development of Hannah Arendt's political and ethical thought. Our approach of this subject is historical and philosophical. First, we will consider the biographical, intellectual and historical background of this reading. The intellectual relationship between Hannah Arendt and Martin Heidegger receive a special attention, since Arendt's Plato is sometimes similar to the heiddeggerian one. We also consider Platonic reception in Germany between the Weimar period and the postwar era : the ideological readings of the Nazi era, and the debate surrounding Plato's status as the forebearer of totalitarianism, as claimed by Karl Popper, darkened Plato's philosophical reputation until the end of 20th century. We find some echoes of this particular intellectual climax in Arendt's treatment of Plato. Second, we will examine the themes and motives of arendtian reading by scrutinizing a selection of Arendt's books, essays, drafts, and notes from the Denktagebuch, and excerpts from the Platonic dialogues that informs her reading. Arendt deconstructs, transforms, distorts and uses these texts in order to show that our tradition of political thought was founded on a contempt for politics that finds its source in Platonic thought. This contempt culminates in Marx's thought and totalitarianism. But Arendt's reflections on thinking, judgment and conscience, and her treatment of Eichmann's case suggests that she sometimes appropriates Plato. Some comparisons with other German Émigrés thinkers who also reads Plato and the Greeks to inform their political thought, Leo Strauss and Eric Voegelin, will enhance our understanding of Arendt's Plato.
112

La querelle du positivisme au sein de la sociologie allemande

Maheu-Moisan, Maxime 07 1900 (has links)
No description available.
113

Metafísica e conhecimento em Popper: a emergência propensitiva do mundo / Metaphysics and knowledge in Popper: the propensitive emergence of world.

Ernzen, Alexandre Klock 08 August 2013 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:26:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alexandre Klock Ernzen.pdf: 1236935 bytes, checksum: 9d9094bd941f0c6a734cb61b0e9b1222 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The dissertation has as study object the Karl Popper s metaphysical programme, expressed in his thesis of the propensities as a possible solution to the modern physics schism. According to the author, the great scientists had a largely metaphysical investigation program that methodologically guided their decisions and discoveries about reality. Our dissertation investigated how Popper argues the relationship between philosophy and science, a required symbiosis to seek a possible solution to the cosmology s problem. To the author, modernity was wrong on separating philosophy from science by stating that the first could not cooperate with the second. Metaphysics, however, is the ambit that ensures scientific speculation, allows the emergence of scientific theories and hypotheses. It is up to the (physics) science the submission of theories to tests, with the intention of purifying the guesswork as possible explanations of the reality. We learn from our mistakes, and progress as our theories are refuted. In this expedient is where we can treat a cosmology, a possible explanation of the metaphysical reality with a world unity image, orderly and coherent. A metaphysical research program unites all perspectives about the world and provides objective knowledge. Science, with its investigations, seeks for the proximity to the truth while replacing its metaphysical research programs. The problem of theoretical quantum physics was the rejection against metaphysics, and, thus, consequently its research program lost the unity regarding the knowledge constituted. Popper intends, through his theory of knowledge, support his collaboration as a philosopher for science when dealing with a metaphysical program that could be perfectly complementary to the twentieth-century science. This program aims to ensure the investigative mode resumption of the great scientists from the Greeks to the present times. A united image of the world allows the objectivity of knowledge and ensures a possible key of reading to match man's freedom and the emergence of new theories, besides enabling the own reality modification by man. The author argues there is at least a genuine problem concerning all beings of reason: cosmologically understand the world and himself. Therefore every human is committed to seeking theoretical solutions to solve this problem as well as others arising from it. Popper s knowledge theory is a clear attempt to fix Kant s philosophy, treating the objective knowledge as provisional and demonstrating the fragility of science itself. You cannot erect the theoretical edifice without the metaphysics help that underlies any scientific thesis. Popper's thesis is that the science of the twentieth century, expressed in quantum theory, requires an unitary metaphysics image of the cosmos so that it is possible to overcome physics crisis. Due to the division result from the rejection to Schroedinger and Faraday s metaphysical research program and Einstein's metaphysical program, Popper introduced a metaphysical program intended to bring together all metaphysical aspects of the world in an united image, able to support the knowledge about reality and man. Emergence concept is what enables to deal with reality in a propensity way. The man s freedom related to theoretical creations and actions can only be effective if we consider the image of the universe as indeterminate. The interaction between possible worlds, the emergence of human reason and its transcendence with the language allow objective knowledge. The thesis of the propensities enables emergence of the world of knowledge as an undetermined linguistic constitution which referent is a physical reality, equally indeterminate. / A dissertação tem por objeto de estudo o programa metafísico de Karl Popper expresso em sua tese das propensões como uma possível solução ao cisma da física moderna. Segundo o autor, os grandes cientistas possuíam um programa de investigação, em grande medida metafísico, que orientava metodologicamente suas decisões e descobertas acerca da realidade. Nossa dissertação investigou como Popper argumenta a relação entre filosofia e ciência, simbiose necessária para procurar uma possível solução ao problema da Cosmologia. Para o autor, a modernidade errou ao separar a filosofia da ciência, afirmando que a primeira não poderia colaborar com a segunda. A metafísica, entretanto, é o âmbito que garante a especulação científica, permite o surgimento de hipóteses e teorias científicas. À ciência (física) cabe a submissão de teorias a testes, com a intenção de depurar as conjecturas como possíveis explicações da realidade. Aprendemos com nossos erros, e progredimos à medida que nossas teorias são refutadas. Neste expediente é que podemos tratar de uma cosmologia, uma possível explicação metafísica da realidade com uma imagem de mundo unitária, ordenada e coerente. Um programa metafísico de investigação une todas as perspectivas acerca do mundo e possibilita o conhecimento objetivo. A ciência, com suas investigações, busca proximidade da verdade enquanto substitui seus programas metafísicos de investigação. O problema dos teóricos da física quântica foi abandonar a metafísica, assim, consequentemente, seu programa de investigação perdeu a unidade relativamente aos conhecimentos que constituíram. Popper pretende, com sua teoria do conhecimento, sustentar sua colaboração como filósofo para a ciência ao tratar de um programa metafísico que pode ser perfeitamente complementar à ciência do século XX. Esse programa pretende assegurar a retomada do modo investigativo dos grandes cientistas, desde os gregos até os tempos atuais. Uma imagem unitária do mundo possibilita a objetividade do conhecimento e assegura uma possível chave de leitura para compatibilizar a liberdade do homem e a emergência de novas teorias, além de possibilitar a modificação da própria realidade pelo homem. O autor defende que há ao menos um problema genuíno que interessa a todos os seres de razão: compreender cosmologicamente o mundo e a si mesmo. Por isso, todo ser humano está comprometido em buscar soluções teóricas para a resolução deste problema, bem como outros dele decorrentes. A teoria do conhecimento de Popper é uma tentativa clara de corrigir a filosofia de Kant, ao tratar o conhecimento objetivo como provisório, bem como ao demonstrar a fragilidade da própria ciência. Não se pode erigir o edifício teórico sem o auxílio da metafísica, que subjaz a toda e qualquer tese científica. A tese de Popper é a de que a ciência do século XX, expressa na teoria dos quanta, necessita de uma imagem metafísica unitária do cosmos para que seja possível superar a crise da física. À cisão decorrente da rejeição do programa metafísico de investigação de Schroedinger e Faraday e o programa metafísico de Einstein, Popper apresentou um programa metafísico que pretendeu reunir todos os aspectos do mundo em uma imagem unitária, capaz de subsidiar o conhecimento da realidade e o homem. O conceito de emergência é o que possibilita tratar da realidade de forma propensitiva. A liberdade do homem em relação às criações teóricas e ações somente poderá ser efetiva se tivermos em conta a imagem do universo como indeterminado. A interação entre os mundos possíveis, a emergência da razão humana e sua transcendência com a linguagem permitem o conhecimento objetivo. A tese das propensões possibilita a emergência do mundo do conhecimento como constituição linguística indeterminada, cujo referente é a realidade física, igualmente indeterminada.
114

The Dresden School Of Violoncello In The Nineteenth Century

Venturini, Adriana 01 January 2009 (has links)
Until the nineteenth century, the violoncello was considered a background accompaniment instrument. By 1900 however, over eighty method books had been published for cello, and Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss were composing orchestral cello parts equal in difficulty to those of the violin, traditionally the only virtuosic string part. The emancipation from the ties of bass ostinato for the cello began with Bernhard Romberg in Dresden. The group of cellists, who came to be known as the Dresden School, included Kummer, Lee, Goltermann, Cossmann, Popper, Grutzmacher, Davidov, and other cellists that were students and colleagues of this group. The Dresden School of cellists attempted not only to bring the instrument into prominence, but to revolutionize the technique of the instrument completely. The cello pedagogues of the Dresden School achieved this by publishing their methods and advancements in technique in cello etude and method books. This efficient process of dissemination allowed for the members of the school to improve on each other's work over time. By the second half of the nineteenth century, the cello pedagogy of the Dresden School was established through the etudes published by the cellist-composers of the Dresden School, and these etudes are still considered some of the most advanced studies for cello, and are the foundation of modern cello pedagogy. At the turn of the twentieth century the Dresden School was the leading cello school in the world, and no longer tied only to the city of Dresden, but spread throughout Europe and beyond. In the publishing of their etudes, the Dresden cellists not only passed down their information to their students, but also to future generations of cellists. Descendants of the Dresden School cellists are now performing in almost every nation and teaching the ideas born in nineteenth century Germany.
115

Кристаллическая структура и физико-химические свойства сложнооксидных фаз Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ : магистерская диссертация / Crystal structure and physicochemical properties of Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ complex oxides

Максимчук, Т. Ю., Maksimchuk, T. Yu. January 2021 (has links)
Работа содержит 71 страницу, 52 рисунка, 8 таблиц, 73 наименования в списке литературы. Ключевые слова: ТВЕРДООКСИДНЫЙ ТОПЛИВНЫЙ ЭЛЕМЕНТ, КАТОДНЫЙ МАТЕРИАЛ, СТРУКТУРА РАДДЛЕСДЕНА-ПОППЕРА, ТЕРМИЧЕСКОЕ РАСШИРЕНИЕ, ЭЛЕКТРОПРОВОДНОСТЬ, ХИМИЧЕСКАЯ СОВМЕСТИМОСТЬ. Методом пиролиза глицерин-нитратных композиций проведен синтез сложных оксидов Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4). Методом рентгеновской дифракции определен фазовый состав порошков Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1 yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) (ДРОН-6). Методом Ритвелда при использовании программного пакета FullProf Suite уточнены кристаллоструктурные параметры Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.3) при 25 С. Проведены высокотемпературные рентгеновские исследования порошков Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0 - 0.3). Методами термогравиметрии (NETZSCH STA 449F3) и окислительно-восстановительного (потенциометрического) титрования (Аквилон АТП-02) проведено определение абсолютного содержания кислорода в образцах Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1 yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.3) на воздухе. Методом дилатометрии (Netzsch DIL 402C) исследовано термическое расширение спеченных образцов Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.3). Из наклона экспериментальных зависимостей относительного удлинения образцов рассчитаны изобарические линейные коэффициенты термического расширения Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.3). Четырех-зондовым методом на постоянном токе на воздухе с использованием автоматической системы Zirconia-318 получены температурные зависимости проводимости спеченных образцов Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.3). Проведены исследования химической совместимости Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0; 0.2; 0.4) с оксидными материалами для традиционных электролитов ТОТЭ. На анализаторе дисперсности SALD-7101 Shimadzu методом лазерного светорассеяния выполнено определение распределения частиц по размерам в порошках Nd1.6Cа0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4). Величины удельной поверхности Nd1.6Cа0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) оценивали методом тепловой десорбции азота на автоматическом анализаторе поверхности и пористости SoftSorbi-II ver.1.0. Определение коэффициента диффузии ионов кислорода проводили методом температурно-программируемого изотопного обмена. Электрохимическая активность катодных материалов Nd1.6Cа0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0; 0.1; 0.3) исследована методом импедансной спектроскопии с помощью потенциостата SI 1260 и электрохимического интерфейса SI 1287 (Solartron Industries Inc.). На основе полученных данных сделан вывод о перспективности оксидных материалов Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0 0.4) в качестве катодных материалов для среднетемпературных ТОТЭ. / Present work contains 71 pages, 52 figures, 8 tables, 73 references in the literature list. Keywords: SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS, CATHODE, RUDDLESDEN-POPPER STRUCTURE, THERMAL EXPANSION, ELECTROCONDUCTIVITY, CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY. Synthesis of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) complex oxides was carried out by the glycerol-nitrate compositions pyrolysis. Phase composition of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) powders was determined by the X-ray diffraction (DRON-6). The crystal structure parameters of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) oxides at 25 °C were refined by the Rietveld method using the FullProf Suite software package. High-temperature X-ray studies were performed on the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.3) powders. The thermogravimetry (NETZSCH STA 449F3) and redox titration (potentiometric) methods (Aquilon ATP-02) were used for the determination of an absolute oxygen content in the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) samples in air. Thermal expansion of the compact Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) samples were studied using the dilatometry (Netzsch DIL 402C) method. The isobaric linear coefficients of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) thermal expansion were calculated from linearization of the experimental dependencies of samples’ relative elongation. The temperature dependencies of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) compact samples’ conductivity were obtained using the four-probe method at direct current in air with automatic system Zirconia-318. Chemical compatibility of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0; 0.2; 0.4) with electrolytes oxide materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) has been studied. Particle size distribution in the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) powders was determined by laser light scattering using a SALD-7101 Shimadzu dispersion analyzer. The values of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) specific surface were estimated by the method of nitrogen thermal desorption on an automatic surface and porosity analyzer SoftSorbi-II ver.1.0. The oxygen ion diffusion coefficients were determined by temperature programmed isotope exchange of oxygen. Electrochemical activity of the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0-0.4) cathode materials was investigated by impedance spectroscopy using a SI 1260 potentiostat and SI 1287 electrochemical interface (Solartron Industries Inc.). Based on the obtained data, it could be concluded that the Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ oxide materials are promising as cathode materials for intermediate-temperature SOFC’s.
116

EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF LOW-COST PEROVSKITE CELLS AND IMPROVED MODULE RELIABILITY TO REDUCE LEVELIZED COST OF ELECTRICITY

Reza Asadpour (9525959) 16 December 2020 (has links)
<div>The manufacturing cost of solar cells along with their efficiency and reliability define the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). One needs to reduce LCOE to make solar cells cost competitive compared to other sources of electricity. After a sustained decrease since 2001 the manufacturing cost of the dominant photovoltaic technology based on c-Si solar cells has recently reached a plateau. Further reduction in LCOE is only possible by increasing the efficiency and/or reliability of c-Si cells. Among alternate technologies, organic photovoltaics (OPV) has reduced manufacturing cost, but they do not offer any LCOE gain because their lifetime and efficiency are significantly lower than c-Si. Recently, perovskite solar cells have showed promising results in terms of both cost and efficiency, but their reliability/stability is still a concern and the physical origin of the efficiency gain is not fully understood.</div><div><br></div>In this work, we have collaborated with scientists industry and academia to explain the origin of the increased cell efficiency of bulk solution-processed perovskite cells. We also explored the possibility of enhancing the efficiency of the c-Si and perovskite cells by using them in a tandem configuration. To improve the intrinsic reliability, we have investigated 2D-perovskite cells with slightly lower efficiency but longer lifetime. We interpreted the behavior of the 2D-perovskite cells using randomly stacked quantum wells in the absorber region. We studied the reliability issues of c-Si modules and correlated series resistance of the modules directly to the solder bond failure. We also found out that finger thinning of the contacts at cell level manifests as a fake shunt resistance but is distinguishable from real shunt resistance by exploring the reverse bias or efficiency vs. irradiance. Then we proposed a physics-based model to predict the energy yield and lifetime of a module that suffers from solder bond failure using real field data by considering the statistical nature of the failure at module level. This model is part of a more comprehensive model that can predict the lifetime of a module that suffers from more degradation mechanisms such as yellowing, potential induced degradation, corrosion, soiling, delamination, etc. simultaneously. This method is called forward modeling since we start from environmental data and initial information of the module, and then predict the lifetime and time-dependent energy yield of a solar cell technology. As the future work, we will use our experience in forward modeling to deconvolve the reliability issues of a module that is fielded since each mechanism has a different electrical signature. Then by calibrating the forward model, we can predict the remaining lifetime of the fielded module. This work opens new pathways to achieve 2030 Sunshot goals of LCOE below 3c/kWh by predicting the lifetime that the product can be guaranteed, helping financial institutions regarding the risk of their investment, or national laboratories to redefine the qualification and reliability protocols.<br>
117

The Darwinian revolution as a knowledge reorganization

Zacharias, Sebastian 24 February 2015 (has links)
Die Dissertation leistet drei Beiträge zur Forschung: (1) Sie entwickelt ein neuartiges vierstufiges Modell wissenschaftlicher Theorien. Dieses Modell kombiniert logisch-empiristische Ansätze (Carnap, Popper, Frege) mit Konzepten von Metaphern & Narrativen (Wittgenstein, Burke, Morgan), erlaubt so deutlich präzisiere Beschreibungen wissenschaftlicher Theorien bereit und löst/mildert Widersprüche in logisch-empiristischen Modellen. (Realismus vs. Empirismus, analytische vs. synthetische Aussagen, Unterdeterminiertheit/ Holismus, wissenschaftliche Erklärungen, Demarkation) (2) Mit diesem Modell gelingt ein Reihenvergleich sechs biologischer Theorien von Lamarck (1809), über Cuvier (1811), Geoffroy St. Hilaire (1835), Chambers (1844-60), Owen (1848-68), Wallace (1855/8) zu Darwin (1859-1872). Dieser Vergleich offenbart eine interessante Asymmetrie: Vergleicht man Darwin mit je einem Vorgänger, so bestehen zahlreiche wichtige Unterschiede. Vergleicht man ihn mit fünf Vorgängern, verschwinden diese fast völlig: Darwins originärer Beitrag zur Revolution in der Biologie des 19.Jh ist klein und seine Antwort nur eine aus einer kontinuierlichen Serie auf die empirischen Herausforderungen durch Paläontologie & Biogeographie seit Ende des 18. Jh. (3) Eine gestufte Rezeptionsanalyse zeigt, warum wir dennoch von einer Darwinschen Revolution sprechen. Zuerst zeigt eine quantitative Analyse der fast 2.000 biologischen Artikel in Britannien zwischen 1858 und 1876, dass Darwinsche Konzepte zwar wichtige Neuerungen brachten, jedoch nicht singulär herausragen. Verlässt man die Biologie und schaut sich die Rezeption bei anderen Wissenschaftlern und gebildeten Laien an, wechselt das Bild: Je weiter man aus der Biologie heraustritt, desto weniger Ebenen biologischen Wissens kennen die Rezipienten und desto sichtbarer wird Darwins Beitrag. Schließlich findet sich sein Beitrag in den abstraktesten Ebenen des biologischen Wissens: in Narrativ und Weltbild – den Ebenen die Laien rezipieren. / The dissertation makes three contributions to research: (1) It develops a novel 4-level-model of scientific theories which combines logical-empirical ideas (Carnap, Popper, Frege) with concepts of metaphors & narratives (Wittgenstein, Burke, Morgan), providing a new powerful toolbox for the analysis & comparison of scientific theories and overcoming/softening contradictions in logical-empirical models. (realism vs. empiricism, analytic vs. synthetic statements, holism, theory-laden observations, scientific explanations, demarcation) (2) Based on this model, the dissertation compares six biological theories from Lamarck (1809), via Cuvier (1811), Geoffroy St. Hilaire (1835), Chambers (1844-60), Owen (1848-68), Wallace (1855/8) to Darwin (1859-1872) and reveals an interesting asymmetry: Compared to any one of his predecessors, Darwins theory appears very original, however, compared to all five predecessor theories, many of these differences disappear and it remains but a small original contribution by Darwin. Thus, Darwin’s is but one in a continuous series of responses to the challenges posed to biology by paleontology and biogeography since the end of the 18th century. (3) A 3-level reception analysis, finally, demonstrates why we speak of a Darwinian revolution nevertheless. (i) A quantitative analysis of nearly 2.000 biological articles reveals that Darwinian concepts where indeed an important theoretical innovation – but definitely not the most important of the time. (ii) When leaving the circle of biology and moving to scientists from other disciplines or educated laymen, the landscape changes. The further outside the biological community, the shallower the audience’s knowledge – and the more visible Darwin’s original contribution. After all, most of Darwin’s contribution can be found in the narrative and worldview of 19th century biology: the only level of knowledge which laymen receive.

Page generated in 0.0457 seconds