chain of being (4TH CENTURY BC – 18TH CENTURY).
Also called the great chain of being and scala natura.
Based on ideas of Plato (c.427-c.347 BC) and Aristotle (384-322 BC), but popularized in biology in the writings of German philosopher Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716), French naturalist Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1720-1788), and Swiss philosopher Charles Bonnet (1720-1793).
This is the influential concept that all of nature – from non-living matter to sophisticated organisms to spiritual beings – forms an unbroken physical and metaphysical series.
The theory’s biological significance developed in the 18th century, when species were arranged in a graded series or hierarchy.
Certain species, such as the green hydra, were thought to be crucial links in the series. The notion that particular metals, animals or classes of humans outrank others is no longer accepted as part of mainstream science.
Also see: ORTHOGENESIS, speciesism
Source:
A Lovejoy, The Great Chain of Being: A Study of the History of an Idea (Cambridge, Mass., 1936)
Table of Contents
- 1 Videos
- 2 Related Products
- 2.1 The Great Chain of Being: A Study of the History of an Idea
- 2.2 Reforging the Great Chain of Being: Studies of the History of Modal Theories (Synthese Historical Library)
- 2.3 Break Every Chain: A police officer's battle with alcoholism, depression, and devastating loss; and the true story of how God changed his life forever
- 2.4 Chains` Redemption: Infernal Sons MC #2
- 2.5 BrainChains: Your thinking brain explained in simple terms. Full of practical tools, tips and tricks to improve your efficiency, creativity and health. How to cope better with ICT, being always connected, multitasking, email, social media, lack of sleep and stress
- 2.6 BURY (The Ball & Chain Thrillers Book 3)
- 2.7 Breaking The Chains (Satan's Knights Prospect Trilogy Book 2)
- 2.8 The Chain
- 2.9 CENTAURS & AMAZONS; Women and the Pre-History of the Great Chain of Being.
- 2.10 Above the Fray: A Four-Week Bible Study for Those Special Ladies Married to the Badge
Videos
The Great Chain of Being: A Study of the History of an Idea
- Philosophy, theory
- Lovejoy, Arthur O. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 382 Pages - 01/31/1976 (Publication Date) - Harvard University Press (Publisher)
Reforging the Great Chain of Being: Studies of the History of Modal Theories (Synthese Historical Library)
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 11/30/1980 (Publication Date) - Springer (Publisher)
Break Every Chain: A police officer's battle with alcoholism, depression, and devastating loss; and the true story of how God changed his life forever
- Hickory, Jonathan E (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 208 Pages - 10/16/2018 (Publication Date) - Covenant Books (Publisher)
Chains` Redemption: Infernal Sons MC #2
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Dawn, Carol (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 12/03/2019 (Publication Date)
BURY (The Ball & Chain Thrillers Book 3)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Mefford, John W. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 361 Pages - 05/21/2019 (Publication Date) - Sugar Hill Press (Publisher)
Breaking The Chains (Satan's Knights Prospect Trilogy Book 2)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Infante Bosco, Janine (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 199 Pages - 12/09/2019 (Publication Date)
The Chain
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- McKinty, Adrian (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 369 Pages - 07/09/2019 (Publication Date) - Mulholland Books (Publisher)
CENTAURS & AMAZONS; Women and the Pre-History of the Great Chain of Being.
- Hardcover Book
- duBois, Page (Author)
- 03/29/1982 (Publication Date) - U of Michigan Press (Publisher)
Above the Fray: A Four-Week Bible Study for Those Special Ladies Married to the Badge
- Neace, Kristi (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 80 Pages - 04/05/2017 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Last update 2020-03-29. Price and product availability may change.