CM Civilisation G.B: Science and Education

Scientific societies in Victorian England provided a common ground for the middle class, offering a chance to engage with science and soften social and political differences. Science was seen as accessible and an area for shared exploration.

The amateur tradition in British science during the 19th century was characterized by gentlemen with leisure time pursuing scientific interests as a hobby. This tradition shaped the development of science and fostered a public understanding of the subject.

The Royal Society, a prestigious scientific organization, was seen as a gentlemen's club in the 19th century. Membership was largely limited to affluent individuals, with a focus on social status and connections.

In contrast to the amateur tradition, professional science emerged as a distinct field, defined by its reliance on scientific activity as a primary source of income, with recognized training and a collective identity.

The movement for the endowment of research in the late 19th century sought to recognize the national importance of science and fund scientific endeavors. This arose from concerns about Britain's declining scientific influence.

A rising middle class of scientists emerged in the 19th century, with individuals educated outside traditional universities and seeking a living wage through science-related careers in the civil service or academia.

The belief that God created every living species individually and they remained unchanged since then.

The idea that living species adapt and change over time, contradicting the belief in their fixed nature.

A hierarchical system that places everything in the universe in order, from the lowest to the highest.

The study of nature as evidence of God's existence and attributes.

A famous analogy used by William Paley to argue for the existence of God. He compared the intricacy of a watch to the complexity of the natural world, suggesting a designer.

A groundbreaking book by Erasmus Darwin, Charles Darwin's grandfather, proposing that all living creatures descended from a single ancestor.

A book by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, considered the first book ever on evolution.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's theory suggesting that acquired characteristics are passed down to offspring, contributing to evolution.

A period in the late 19th century in Britain where there was a decline in popular support for science, fueled by accusations of scientific arrogance, public distrust (anti-vaccination, anti-vivisection), and a growing sentiment that science should not be controlled by the government.

The period of significant technological advancements in Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries, characterized by the shift from manual labor to machine-powered production.

A machine that converts steam pressure into mechanical power, crucial for driving industrial machinery.

A steam-powered vehicle used for transporting goods and people on tracks.

A large-scale exhibition held in London in 1851 to showcase industrial advancements from around the world, demonstrating British industrial dominance and promoting free trade.

The argument that British industry was declining, fueled by concerns about the performance of British industrialists, dwindling natural resources, and the rise of science-trained engineers in Germany and the United States.

The laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866, connecting Ireland to Newfoundland, enabling faster communication across the Atlantic.

The use of science to achieve practical goals, particularly in engineering and industry.

The study of the origin, development, and distribution of different ethnic groups and their cultures.

The scientific study of cultures, customs, and beliefs of a particular group of people.

The belief that all humans belong to a single species and that all races share a common ancestor.

The belief that different human races are separate species, with no common ancestor.

The use of scientific methods to study and categorize different races.

The idea that biological characteristics determine a person's abilities, behaviors, and social status.

The practice of classifying and judging people based on their supposed race.

The study of humans, their origin, development, and cultures.

The controversy sparked by the introduction of German biblical criticism to England through 'Essays and Reviews' in 1860, leading to widespread religious questioning and challenging traditional Anglican beliefs, including debates on miracles and eternal damnation.

Darwin rejected Christianity due to his ethical objections to concepts like eternal punishment and the problem of suffering in the natural world. His loss of faith reflected a widespread Victorian concern about the compatibility of divine goodness with the harsh realities of nature.

The notion of a direct conflict between science and religion was partly a strategy employed by figures like T.H. Huxley to promote scientific professionalism and assert its independence from theological influences.

The clash between science and religion predates Darwin's theory of evolution. For instance, geology had already challenged literal interpretations of the Bible, suggesting that tension between science and religion existed long before Darwin.

The famous Huxley-Wilberforce debate, while symbolic of the conflict, is an oversimplification. It represents a broader clash between traditional and progressive ideologies within Victorian society.

The debate between science and religion in Victorian England was shaped by a complex interplay of ideas. Religious doubts stemmed from various sources, including ethical concerns, biblical criticism, and scientific discoveries.

The British Empire in 1897 encompassed an immense territory, covering one-fifth of the Earth's surface and one-quarter of the global population, highlighting its dominance.

The British Empire used 'civilization' as a justification for its expansion and the subjugation of other peoples. Marks of civilization included clothing, religion, social organization, and property ownership, often used to legitimize imperial control.

A social ideology prevalent in Western countries during the 19th century that positioned women as domestic angels primarily responsible for nurturing and caring within the home.

The legal doctrine that a married woman's legal identity was subsumed by her husband's upon marriage. This meant she lost control of her property and income.

A term used to describe the lack of opportunities for women's education and employment during the 19th century, emphasizing the societal limitations placed on women's roles.

The idea that men belonged in the public sphere—politics, work, and public life—while women belonged in the private sphere—the home, childrearing, and domestic duties.

A movement that emerged in the 19th century advocating for women's rights. Its early demands included property rights and the right to vote.

The belief that scientific research could reveal natural laws governing society, including the inherent differences between men and women. This often led to arguments for women's perceived biological inferiority.

The debate over whether women's limitations were due to innate biological differences or social conditioning. One view argued for inherent inferiority based on biology; the other for the role of education and culture.

The distinction between physical differences (e.g., strength) and cultural roles assigned to men and women. This debate explored whether limitations were based on inherent physical differences or societal expectations.