From: Jesper Hoffmeyer <[log in to unmask]>
To: Intl Soc for the Hist Phil and Soc St of Biol <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Lamarck question
Date: Thu, May 10, 2001, 4:36 PM

Lamarck was definitely a materialist - and a rationalist for that.
But his reliance on "subtle fluids" as an explanation for the
"sentiment interieur" is of course hard to swallow today. At the time
however this was still acceptable  - for instance as a cause for
magnetism. See Burkhardt, R. D. (1977) "The spirit of system: Lamarck
and evolutionary biology" or his own work (in English): "The
zoological Philosophy" 1914).

>From: Ethel Tobach <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2001 4:27 pm
>
>>  I am interested in any references you may have come across as to
>>  whether Lamarck might be considered a materialist.   I have quite
>>  a bit of material, but would appreciate your help.  I am phrasing
>>  the request in a way that I hope will not bias the response.  Thank
>>  you.  Ethel Tobach

--
Jesper Hoffmeyer
University of Copenhagen
Department of Biological Chemistry
Solvgade 83
DK 1307 Copenhagen K
Denmark

Tel (work) +45 3532 2032 or (home) +45 4798 2578
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