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The main focus of this book is on the interconnection of two unorthodox scientific ideas, the varying-gravity hypothesis and the expanding-earth hypothesis. As such, it provides a fascinating insight into a nearly forgotten chapter in both the history of cosmology and the history of the earth sciences.
The hypothesis that the force of gravity decreases over cosmic time was first proposed by Paul Dirac in 1937. In this book the author examines in detail the historical development of Dirac's hypothesis and its consequences for the structure and history of the earth, the most important of which was that the earth must have been smaller in the past.
List of contents
Preface.- 1.Introductory Issues.- 2.Varying Gravity.- 3.The Expanding Earth.- 4.After Plate Tectonics.- Bibliography.- Index.
About the author
After graduation from the University of Copenhagen in Physics and Chemistry, and a period as teacher in gymnasium schools, Helge Kragh became Associate Professor at Cornell University, Departments of History and Physics. Later, he took positions as Curator at the Steno Museum for Science and Medicine and Professor of the History of Science at the University of Oslo, Norway. Since 1997, he has been Professor of the History of Science and Technology, University of Aarhus, Denmark. He is a Member of the Royal Danish Academy of Science, the International Academy for the History of Science, and of the European Academy of Science. He was President of the European Society for the History of Science (2008-10).
Summary
The main focus of this book is on the interconnection of two unorthodox scientific ideas, the varying-gravity hypothesis and the expanding-earth hypothesis. As such, it provides a fascinating insight into a nearly forgotten chapter in both the history of cosmology and the history of the earth sciences.
The hypothesis that the force of gravity decreases over cosmic time was first proposed by Paul Dirac in 1937. In this book the author examines in detail the historical development of Dirac’s hypothesis and its consequences for the structure and history of the earth, the most important of which was that the earth must have been smaller in the past.
Additional text
“The main idea underlying Kragh’s book is the link between varying gravity and the older idea assuming an ‘expansion of the Earth’ in past epochs, discussed since the nineteenth century among geologists and astronomers. … Kragh’s book is a fine example of an inspiring investigation in the history and philosophy of science. I imagine that it will also be of interest to readers with a background in the earth sciences.” (Hubert Goenner, Isis, Vol. 107 (4), December, 2016)
“This book is a stimulating reading material because it contains a lot of historical and systematic information in cosmology and geophysics. Moreover, it shows how fantasy can help to overcome disciplinary borderlines … .” (Horst-Heino von Borzeszkowski, zbMATH 1344.83007, 2016)
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"The main idea underlying Kragh's book is the link between varying gravity and the older idea assuming an 'expansion of the Earth' in past epochs, discussed since the nineteenth century among geologists and astronomers. ... Kragh's book is a fine example of an inspiring investigation in the history and philosophy of science. I imagine that it will also be of interest to readers with a background in the earth sciences." (Hubert Goenner, Isis, Vol. 107 (4), December, 2016)
"This book is a stimulating reading material because it contains a lot of historical and systematic information in cosmology and geophysics. Moreover, it shows how fantasy can help to overcome disciplinary borderlines ... ." (Horst-Heino von Borzeszkowski, zbMATH 1344.83007, 2016)
