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Search - Theory of the Earth: Investigation into Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution, and Restoration of Land upon the Globe (Forgotten Books)

Theory of the Earth Investigation into Laws observable in the Composition Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe - Forgotten Books
Author: James Hutton

Book Description: — "James Hutton (1726-1797) is considered the father of modern geology. Although less well known than Darwin, Hutton's theory is one of the cornerstones of the modern rationalist view of the world. Hutton was one of the first scientists to propose that the Earth is extremely old, much older than the few thousand years tha... more »t a literal reading of Genesis would indicate. This caused a furour much like Darwin's Origin of Species when it was first released.

Leonardo Da Vinci had privately speculated about this two centuries earlier in his notebooks, noting the presence of marine fossils on the top of mountains, and estimating the huge amount of time it would take to carve out river valleys. But Hutton was the first to reject the 'Neptunian' theory of his day which saw a universal deluge (presumably, the Noachian flood) as the source of geological formation. Instead he proposed a 'Vulcanian' theory, in which processes of heat from the earth's interior had built up continents and mountains over a long period of time.

In later times this became couched in terms of 'Catastrophism' versus 'Gradualism,' with the gradualists eventually winning out. This is why conventional geologists reject ideas such as Atlantis, Lemuria, or pole shifts out of hand, working from first principles. However, 21st century geologists have become less prickly about the occasional catastrophic event, such as the Oregon Scablands, which were formed when a glacial dam broke at the end of the ice ages.

The two texts provided here are his 1788 paper Theory of the Earth, read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the two extant volumes of his 1795 book of the same name in which he not only elaborated his views but defended them against the bitter criticism that had been leveled against him in the interim. Although his books, filled with long quotes in French, make difficult reading, Hutton deserves to be better known as one of the makers of the modern view of the Earth." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; Plates; Prospect Of The Subject To Be Treated Of; An Investigation Of The Natural Operations Employed In Consolidating The Strata Of The Globe; Investigation Of The Natural Operations Employed In The Production Of Land Above The Surface Of The Sea; System Of Decay And Renovation Observed In The Earth; Volume I.; Plates; Theory Of The Earth; Or An Investigation Of The Laws Observable In The Composition, Dissolution, And Restoration, Of Land Upon The Globe; An Examination Of Mr Kirwan's Objections To The Igneous Origin Of Stony Substances; Of Physical Systems, And Geological Theories, In General; The Supposition Of Primitive Mountains Refuted; Concerning That Which May Be Termed The Primary Part Of The Present Earth; The Theory Of Interchanging Sea And Land Illustrated By An Investigation Of The Primary And Secondary Strata; Opinions Examined With Regard To Petrifaction, Or Mineral Concretion; The Nature Of Mineral Coal, And The Formation Of Bituminous Strata, Investigated; Volume ii.; Introduction; Facts In Confirmation Of The Theory Of Elevating Land Above The Surface Of The Sea; The Same Subject Continued, With Examples From Different Countries; Facts In Confirmation Of The Theory, Respecting Those Operations Which Re-dissolve The Surface Of The Earth; The Same Subject Continued, In Giving Still Farther views Of The Dissolution Of The Earth; Facts In Confirmation Of The Theory Respecting The Operations Of The Earth Employed In Forming Soil For Plants; A view Of The Economy Of Nature, And Necessity Of Wasting The Surface Of The Earth, In Serving The Purposes Of This World; The Same Subject Continued, In Giving A view Of The Operations Of Air And Water Upon Thesurface Of The Land; The Present Form Of The Surface Of The Earth Explained, With A view Of The Operation Of Time Upon Our Land; The Theory Illustrated, With A view Of The Summits Of The Alps

ISBN-13: 9781605064147
ISBN-10: 1605064149
Publication Date: 12/28/2007
Pages: 625
Rating:

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Publisher: Forgotten Books
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
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