Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
The psychological argument is a simple matter of interest: why be concerned
with the apparently distinctive details of any geological event if it possesses
no individuality, but represents one of a potentially endless class? We discuss
with relish the idiosyncrasies of Bill the cat, but who ever talks about Joe the
silica tetrahedron?
The clearest evidence of Hutton's adherence to a rigid version of time's cycle
lies in his explicit denials of history and his avoidance of all metaphors
involving sequence and direction. Hutton tells us that the earth's cycles lead
nowhere; he does not permit Burner's resolution of cycles advancing as they
turn—the model of a large disc rolling down a railroad track. The last cycle
was no different from nature's current course, for it witnessed "an earth
equally perfect with the present, and an earth equally productive of growing
plants and living animals" (1788, 297). Change is a continuous backing and
forthing, never a permanent alteration in any direction: "At all times there is a
terraqueous globe, for the use of plants and animals; at all times there is upon
the surface of the earth dry land and moving water, although the particular
shape and situation of those things fluctuate, and are not permanent as are the
laws of nature" (1795, I, 378-379). 3
Most revealing are Hutton's methodological statements about the role of
those quintessential data of history—sequences of events in time. He does
not view them, in any sense, as components of narrative interesting in
themselves, but only as data to use in establishing general theories of timeless
systems. Again, making his favorite Newtonian analogy, Hutton writes:
In order to understand the system of the heavens, it is necessary to connect
together periods of measured time, and the distinguished places of revolving
bodies. It is thus that system may be observed, or wisdom, in the proper
adapting of powers to an intention. In like manner, we cannot understand the
system of
3. Note Hutton's choice of words—"fluctuate," with its implication of motion back
and forth about a constant average, not "change," which might imply an element of
directionality.
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