Linnaeus as a Second Adam? Taxonomy and the Religious Vocation

Abstract. Swedish naturalist Carl von Linné (1707–1778) became known during his lifetime as a “second Adam” because of his taxonomic endeavors. The significance of this epithet was that in Genesis Adam was reported to have named the beasts—an episode that was usually interpreted to mean that Adam po...

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Autor principal: Harrison, Peter 1955- (Author)
Tipo de documento: Recurso Electrónico Artigo
Idioma:Inglês
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Publicado em: Wiley-Blackwell 2009
Em: Zygon
Ano: 2009, Volume: 44, Número: 4, Páginas: 879-893
Outras palavras-chave:B religious vocation
B Carl Linnaeus
B Genesis
B history of taxonomy
Acesso em linha: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Não eletrônico
Descrição
Resumo:Abstract. Swedish naturalist Carl von Linné (1707–1778) became known during his lifetime as a “second Adam” because of his taxonomic endeavors. The significance of this epithet was that in Genesis Adam was reported to have named the beasts—an episode that was usually interpreted to mean that Adam possessed a scientific knowledge of nature and a perfect taxonomy. Linnaeus's soubriquet exemplifies the way in which the Genesis narratives of creation were used in the early modern period to give religious legitimacy to scientific activities and to taxonomy in particular. Allusions to Adam's work in the Garden of Eden thus became a way of investing the vocation of the naturalist with religious significance.
ISSN:1467-9744
Obras secundárias:Enthalten in: Zygon
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2009.01039.x