11.3 Scientific Advancements and Changing Worldviews
4 min read•july 30, 2024
The 19th century saw groundbreaking scientific discoveries that shook the foundations of human understanding. From Darwin's to Maxwell's , these advancements revolutionized biology, physics, and chemistry, challenging long-held beliefs about the natural world.
These scientific breakthroughs had far-reaching impacts on society, sparking technological innovations and reshaping worldviews. They fueled debates between science and religion, influenced philosophical thought, and led to new approaches in education and social sciences, ultimately shaping the modern world.
Scientific Discoveries of the 19th Century
Evolutionary Biology and Genetics
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Mendel’s Experiments · Concepts of Biology View original
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's theory of evolution by revolutionized biology and challenged existing beliefs about the origin of species and human nature
Key concepts: natural selection, adaptation, common descent
Published in "" (1859)
's experiments with pea plants established the basic principles of genetics
Discovered dominant and recessive traits
Laid foundation for modern genetics
Work not fully recognized until early 20th century
Chemistry and Atomic Theory
developed , laying the foundation for modern understanding of matter and chemical reactions
Proposed that all matter consists of indivisible particles called atoms
Explained chemical reactions as rearrangements of atoms
Discovery of by opened new avenues in physics and medicine
Marie and Pierre Curie further investigated radioactivity
Isolated radioactive elements (polonium, radium)
Physics and Electromagnetic Theory
formulated electromagnetic theory, unifying electricity, magnetism, and optics
described the behavior of electric and magnetic fields
Paved the way for future technological advancements (radio, television)
Development of challenged long-held assumptions about the nature of space
Mathematicians like and proposed alternative geometric systems
Influenced later developments in physics (Einstein's theory of relativity)
Microbiology and Medicine
's of disease transformed medicine and public health practices
Demonstrated that microorganisms cause many diseases
Developed pasteurization process for food preservation
Advancements in microbiology led to improved understanding of infectious diseases
identified specific bacteria responsible for diseases (anthrax, tuberculosis, cholera)
Development of vaccines and antiseptics
Science's Impact on Society
Technological Innovations
Scientific discoveries in physics and chemistry led to rapid technological innovations