Styles of Reasoning in the British Life Sciences:

Shared Assumptions, 1820–58

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James Elwick

Science and Culture in the Nineteenth Century

Elwick explores how the concept of ‘compound individuality’ brought together life scientists working in pre-Darwinian London. Scientists conducting research in comparative anatomy, physiology, cellular microscopy, embryology and the neurosciences repeatedly stated that plants and animals were compounds of smaller independent units. Discussion of a 'bodily oeconomy' was widespread. But by 1860 the most flamboyant discussions of compound individuality had come to an end in Britain.

Elwick relates the growth and decline of questions about compound individuality to wider nineteenth-century debates about research standards and causality. He uses specific technical case studies to address overarching themes of reason and scientific method.

Sample pages

• Styles of Reasoning: Introduction
• Styles of Reasoning: Index

Readership

History of Biology, History of Medicine, Darwin Studies, Nineteenth-Century Studies

Contents

Introduction
1 Analysis Part I, Museums and Comparative Anatomy
2 Analysis Part II, The Neurosciences
3 Synthesis: Embryological Development as Metamorphosis
4 Regeneration as Reproduction
5 Palaetiology
6 The Attack on Compound Individuality, 1850–1859
Conclusion

Reviews

'A stimulating and highly original book'
– Michael T Ghiselin, History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

'Elwick has provided an informative and constructive analysis of the major themes involved.'
– Andrew Reynolds, ISIS

'Elwick’s book is a valuable contribution to a richer historical understanding of the period. The quality and range of the research is exemplary and I found myself wanting more of his well-written and lucid arguments.'
– Jim Endersby, British Society for Literature and Science
(read the full review here)

Related titles

• Until Darwin, Science, Human Variety and the Origins of Race
• Victorian Science and Literature

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