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Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species
1809 to 1182. Born in England Charles Darwin was a naturalist, geologist, and biologist who first wrote on the nature of inherited change in species. His work "Origin of Species" resulted in a paradigm shift in the natural sciences. Prior to his publication, naturalists believed in biblical explanations for the origin of animals on Earth. Darwin showed that animals are subject to inherited physical traits, based on different factors, which are conserved if they are beneficial to the animal. -
Ernst Mach, The Science of Mechanics
1838-1916. Born in Moravia, Ernst Mach was a physicist and philosopher notable for his work "The Science of Mechanics" which was the first to mathematically describe the sound of a sonic boom and its conical shape. The term "Mach" used to describe the speed of an object past the sound barrier is derived from his work and name. Einstein would later use "Mach's principle" as one of 3 principles to his own theory of general relativity.
Mach's principle explained -
Bertrand Russell, Principia Mathematica
1872-1970. Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher and mathematician. One of his primary works, "Principia Mathematica" laid out the logical basis for the logic of mathematics. The work is the current basis for logical expression in all of mathematics today. An interview with Bertrand Russell and his reflections on history. (1952) -
Werner Karl Heisenberg, Uncertainty Principle
1901-1976. Born in Bavaria, Germany Heinsenberg was a theoretical physicist and among the first quantum mechanics theorists. Among his famous theories is the "Heinsenberg limit" which states the accuracy of a measurement can scale with the energy used in the measurement. He wrote several academic works, including "Nuclear Physics" and "Physics and Beyond." Heinsenberg also worked on the German nuclear weapons program known as "Uranverein." -
Feyerabend publishes his first work, "Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations"
Paul Feyerabend, born in 1924 in Vienna, earns his first full-time faculty appointment at University of Bristol. He also publishes his first work as an academic: "Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations" in The Philosophical Review. Here he criticizes Wittgenstein's ideas that words and language cannot be absolutely defined and should instead be described. Feyerabend criticizes this as silly. Interview with Feyerabend and his first meeting with Wittgenstein -
Feyerabend's "Against Method" is published, introducing scientific "anarchism"
Feyerabend introduces "scientific anarchism" which posits the idea that science should not conform to any principles or methodologies. In this work, Feyerabend argues that science moves forward by alternative theories that conflict with established theories. Here he disagrees with Lakatos and the idea behind scientific "rationalism." Famously, Feyerabend posits the "anything goes" philosophical application of science. He uses the Copernican Revolution as a historical example in his argument. -
"Science in a Free Society" is published, a work intended to defend and clarify Feyerabend's arguments in "Against Method"
Feyerabend publishes a new work that attempts to advance "scientific anarchism" and clear up any misconceptions. Critical reviews of "Against Method" were so harsh, Feyerabend once said "I often wished I had never written that fucking book." He also devoted an entire chapter in his new work titled "Conversations with Illiterates" where he attacks readers of his first work for having misunderstood it. He also equates science to "mythology" in Free Society, angering many of his peers. -
Feyerabend publishes one of his last works, "Farewell to Reason" where he argues for scientific relativism
In "Farewell to Reason" Feyerabend argues for scientific relativism and uses cultural diversity as his vehicle to deliver his ideas. He also warns that established Western philosophies in science were on a road to global dominance (which is a bad thing). At the end of his book, Feyerabend's last written words are "Farewell to Reason", as if to definitively signify that rationalism in science is finished. The work, like his others, is heavily criticized and continues to be a philosophical oddity.