From Haeckelian Monist to Anti-Haeckelian Vitalist: The Transformation of the Icelandic Naturalist Thorvaldur Thoroddsen (1855–1921)

摘要

Iceland has not been known as a contributor tothe history of science. This small nation inthe North-Atlantic has only in recent decadesmade its mark on international science. Butthe Icelandic naturalist Thorvaldur Thoroddsen(1855–1921) is an exception to thisgeneralisation, for he was well known at theturn of the 20th century in Europe and Americafor his research on the geography and geologyof Iceland. Though Thoroddsen's contributionto these sciences is of great interest there isanother very interesting side to his career.This is his transformation from ``mechanist'' to``vitalist,'' which is the main focus of thispaper. Thoroddsen, who began his career as afollower of Darwinism and Haeckelian monism,started to express his worries aboutmaterialism in society in 1902 culminating in afull-fledged denial of materialism in politicsand science in 1910.