Alexander Von Humboldt and Charles Darwin are two historically important scientists in the late 18th century into the 19th century and in the 19th century, respectively. Both of these scientists were pioneers in their specific fields, Humboldt with environmentalism and epistemology and Darwin with his new take on evolution. These scientists had similarities and differences in their motives, influences, and personal attributes that affected the development of their respective sciences. Humboldt’s main motive in his scientific studies was to find connections in the natural world (Wulf, 2015). In his travels across the earth, he was not searching for one particular thing, rather he was searching for everything. His desire was to search for
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Darwin was inspired to travel by Humboldt, but travel was ultimately less essential to him (Wulf, 2015). Darwin went on the expedition of the Beagle, but after that remained at home and was reclusive (Brown, 2002). He isolated himself and worked in his study for weeks to months at a time (Brown, 2002). This gave Darwin the time and focus to fully develop his theories on the evolution of man and organisms. He also developed his responses to those who rejected his theory because of the proposed uniqueness of humanity (Bowler, 1989). Darwin, while remaining at home, was able to study the organisms around his house and compare animals to man as responses to these rejections (Brown, 2002). While Darwin was physically isolated, intellectually he was not. Isolation gave Darwin the time to send over 14,000 letters that connected him with other minds around the world who helped him develop is ideas (Brown, 2002). Staying home rather than traveling allowed him to keep up these …show more content…
Ultimately though, Humboldt was guided by his experiences to develop a world view of connections, and Darwin was guided by combining and reshaping ideas of other individuals to produce a new theory on man and animals. References
Bowler, P. (1989). Evolution: The History of an Idea. Los Angeles: University of California Press
Brown, J. (2002). Charles Darwin: The Power of Place.
Darwin, C. (1871). The Decent of Man.
Dear, P. (2006). The Intelligibility of Nature. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Darwin was inspired to travel by Humboldt, but travel was ultimately less essential to him (Wulf, 2015). Darwin went on the expedition of the Beagle, but after that remained at home and was reclusive (Brown, 2002). He isolated himself and worked in his study for weeks to months at a time (Brown, 2002). This gave Darwin the time and focus to fully develop his theories on the evolution of man and organisms. He also developed his responses to those who rejected his theory because of the proposed uniqueness of humanity (Bowler, 1989). Darwin, while remaining at home, was able to study the organisms around his house and compare animals to man as responses to these rejections (Brown, 2002). While Darwin was physically isolated, intellectually he was not. Isolation gave Darwin the time to send over 14,000 letters that connected him with other minds around the world who helped him develop is ideas (Brown, 2002). Staying home rather than traveling allowed him to keep up these …show more content…
Ultimately though, Humboldt was guided by his experiences to develop a world view of connections, and Darwin was guided by combining and reshaping ideas of other individuals to produce a new theory on man and animals. References
Bowler, P. (1989). Evolution: The History of an Idea. Los Angeles: University of California Press
Brown, J. (2002). Charles Darwin: The Power of Place.
Darwin, C. (1871). The Decent of Man.
Dear, P. (2006). The Intelligibility of Nature. Chicago: The University of Chicago