Rudwick (1971)

This paper outlines the similarities and differences between two competing geological frameworks that we have touched on over the last few classes: the “Directional Synthesis” and Lyell’s “Uniformitarianism”. Rudwick presents a very insightful analysis of “uniformity”, and describes the Directional Synthesis as an attractive alternative to Lyell’s model. This is a landmark paper that was published in 1971 – well before the work of Laudan and Greene.

In reading this, I don’t think you will need much in the way of notes. The initial paragraphs are directed against the common British-American assumptions about the primacy of Lyell. Once beyond that discussion (middle of p. 211), the paper provides a rich analysis of Lyell’s uniformity, the directional synthesis, and the relation of geological observations to theory. You should consider what observations or data each theory could or could not explain in a satisfactory manner, and what assumptions were embedded within each theory. These questions are critical in evaluating the coherence of each theory (although we do not usually ask about what data is not compatible with a theory). You will recognize some of the underlying issues that arose in our consideration of the stratigraphic/fossil record and tectonics; many of these conceptual aspects underlay many (or perhaps all) the 19th century debates we will consider in coming weeks.

In class you will analyze the two models as preparation for writing your paper. We should have time to discuss some of the different options that are available to you about their relative merits of these theoretical positions.

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