Charles Lyell's Geological Ideas and Their Sources

Abstract

The aim of the article is presentation of some opinions of historians and philosophers of science about scientific doctrines of Charles Lyell (1797-1875) and the sources of these doctrines. Three main themes are discussed: 1. What was the real meaning of Lyell's uniformitarianism and which doctrine (catastrophism or directionalism) it was opposed to? 2. Which method of geological research was used and recommended by Lyell? 3. What relation connected Lyell's scientific doctrine with his religious and theological views?