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French Revolution & Napoleon (Grey History)
1.35 Science During the Revolutionary Era
Oct 9, 2021
This podcast explores the achievements of French scientists during the Revolutionary Era, including the discovery of oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. It also delves into the early debates surrounding extinction and evolution, highlighting the intriguing discoveries of French naturalist Georges Cuvier. Explore the scientific understanding of fossils and the controversy surrounding extinction, as well as the debates on evolution and comparative anatomy in the late 18th century. Discover the identification of large extinct animals by Cuvier and other scientists, leading to an explanation of their extinction.
17:16
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- Robert Hook challenged the prevailing belief of fossils and proposed the idea of extinction, which laid the foundation for recognizing extinction as a possibility.
- Georges Cuvier's examination of fossilized remains solidified the evidence for the existence of extinction and his proposition of major catastrophes as the cause of species disappearance sparked further discussions.
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Scientific understanding of fossils and extinction
During the Revolutionary Era, the English scientist Robert Hook challenged the prevailing belief that fossils were the work of forces within the Earth and proposed that they were actually the preserved remains of creatures. He further suggested that some animals no longer existed. However, this idea of extinction was highly controversial due to its religious implications, as it contradicted the belief that all life was part of a divine plan. Despite the debates, Hook's contributions laid the foundation for recognizing extinction as a possibility.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode