Department
History and Political Science
Major
History
Research Advisor
Schramm, Jeff
Advisor's Department
History and Political Science
Abstract
During the late 1800s, science and religion clashed when Charles Darwin presented his arguments for evolution in Origin of Species. Opposing Darwin was George Mivart, a fellow scientist and religious man, who published his own book, On the Genesis of Species, in opposition to Darwin. While Darwin argued his new ideas on the perpetuation of species and natural selection Mivart tried to reconcile creation with evolution; leading to an intense feud between the two men. Mivart hoped to combine his deep religious beliefs with evolution, and this led to a crisis of conscience. While many historians look at the arguments of Mivart and Darwin to illustrate the complexities of the period, Mivart's attempts to relieve his inner struggle and find a satisfactory conclusion that allowed for both a spiritual realm and a scientific one are perhaps a better representation of the society of the late 18th and early 19th century.
Biography
Amanda Kamps is currently a junior at Missouri S& T and is completing her B.A. in History. She was born in Arizona, and raised in Germany, Virginia, Texas, Indiana, Japan, and then Missouri. She graduated from Waynesville High School in 2005 as Valedictorian. Her current research at Missouri S& T includes primary source review of Moe Dalitz and Bugsy Siegel and their involvement in Las Vegas, as well as George Mivart's role in Darwinian Evolution during the late 1800s. In the future she hopes to pursue a master's degree in Archival Studies with a focus on American history.
Research Category
Humanities/Social Sciences
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Final Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Humanities/Social Sciences Oral Presentation - First Place
Location
Havener Center, Gasconade Room
Presentation Date
9 April 2008, 9:30 am - 10:00 am
The Struggle Within: A Brief Look at George Mivart and his Methods of Combining Science and Spirituality
Havener Center, Gasconade Room
During the late 1800s, science and religion clashed when Charles Darwin presented his arguments for evolution in Origin of Species. Opposing Darwin was George Mivart, a fellow scientist and religious man, who published his own book, On the Genesis of Species, in opposition to Darwin. While Darwin argued his new ideas on the perpetuation of species and natural selection Mivart tried to reconcile creation with evolution; leading to an intense feud between the two men. Mivart hoped to combine his deep religious beliefs with evolution, and this led to a crisis of conscience. While many historians look at the arguments of Mivart and Darwin to illustrate the complexities of the period, Mivart's attempts to relieve his inner struggle and find a satisfactory conclusion that allowed for both a spiritual realm and a scientific one are perhaps a better representation of the society of the late 18th and early 19th century.
