The Highlands Controversy is a rich and perceptive account of the third and last major dispute in nineteenth-century geology stemming from the work of Sir Roderick Murchison. The earlier Devonian and Cambrian-Silurian controversies centered on whether the strata of Devon and Wales should be classified by lithological or paleontological criteria, but the Highlands dispute arose from the difficulties the Scottish Highlands presented to geologists who were just learning to decipher the very complex processes of mountain ...
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The Highlands Controversy is a rich and perceptive account of the third and last major dispute in nineteenth-century geology stemming from the work of Sir Roderick Murchison. The earlier Devonian and Cambrian-Silurian controversies centered on whether the strata of Devon and Wales should be classified by lithological or paleontological criteria, but the Highlands dispute arose from the difficulties the Scottish Highlands presented to geologists who were just learning to decipher the very complex processes of mountain building and metamorphism. David Oldroyd follows this controversy into the last years of the nineteenth century, as geology was transformed by increasing professionalization and by the development of new field and laboratory techniques. In telling this story, Oldroyd's aim is to analyze how scientific knowledge is constructed within a competitive scientific community--how theory, empirical findings, and social factors interact in the formation of knowledge. Oldroyd uses archival material and his own extensive reconstruction of the nineteenth-century fieldwork in a case study showing how detailed maps and sections made it possible to understand the exceptionally complex geological structure of the Highlands An invaluable addition to the history of geology, The Highlands Controversy also makes important contributions to our understanding of the social and conceptual processes of scientific work, especially in times of heated dispute.
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Seller's Description:
8 color plates. Slight corner bump, minor rubbing, VG. 24x17cm, ix, 438, (8)pp, Includes textual photos, maps, diagrams + 8 color plates. Contents: 19th-Century British Geology & its Historiography: Some Themes, Goals & Methods; Early Geological Work in the Northwest Highlands; Geological Work of Murchison & Nicol in the Northwest Highlands: 1850s; The Fieldwork of 1859 & the Aberdeen Meeting of the British Association; The Murchison-Geikie Tour of 1860; Murchison & Geikie contra Nicol: The Establishment of the "Northwest Paradigm"; The Battle Rejoined & the Collapse of the Murchisonian Paradigm; Charles Lapworth: Digressions & Diversions to the Southern Uplands & the Alps; The Professionals Vindicated: The Work of the Surveyors in the Northwest Highlands; The Impact of the Highlands Controversy on the Progress of the Geological Survey: The Wharton Committee's Inquiry; Issues: Methodological, Epistemological, & Social.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 448 p. Science and Its Conceptual Foundations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 448 p. Science and Its Conceptual Foundations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Seller's Description:
Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD Standard-sized.
