Time’s Arrow, Time’s Cycle: Myth and Metaphor in the Discovery of Geological Time (The Jerusalem-Harvard Lectures)
Stephen Jay Gould's Time's Arrow, Time's Cycle examines the myth and metaphor shaping the discovery of geological time. Based on the Jerusalem-Harvard Lectures, it reveals how narrative concepts like arrows of progress and cycles of repetition influenced scientific understanding of Earth's deep history, blending philosophy with geology.
About This Book
In Time's Arrow, Time's Cycle, Stephen Jay Gould delves into the conceptual frameworks that guided the emergence of geological time as a scientific reality. The book examines how early thinkers navigated between linear progression and cyclical patterns in understanding Earth's history.
Delivered as part of the Jerusalem-Harvard Lectures, Gould's analysis highlights the role of metaphorical language in scientific discovery. He illustrates how these linguistic tools influenced interpretations of time in geology.
The text bridges philosophy and science, showing how myths and metaphors have historically informed empirical observations. Gould's insights offer a deeper appreciation for the human elements in scientific advancement.
Through this exploration, readers gain perspective on the evolution of geological thought and its lasting impact on modern science.
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