Biology Before Darwin: Crash Course History of Science

The video explores the evolution of scientific thought from the Scientific Revolution to the 18th century, focusing on the development of natural history and biology. It highlights key figures like Van Helmont, Merian, Linnaeus, Buffon, Lamarck, and Cuvier, discussing their contributions to the understanding of life and classification of species. The video also examines the shift from Aristotelian views to modern scientific frameworks, including the introduction of the binomial nomenclature and early evolutionary theories.

What was Lamarck's theory of transformisme and how did it explain evolution?

What role did Georges Cuvier play in the development of natural history?

What was the significance of the concept of catastrophism introduced by Cuvier?

In what ways did the scientific community's understanding of life change by the end of the 1700s?