Evolutionary ideas and ‘empirical’ methods: the analogy between language and species in works by Lyell and Schleicher

British Journal for the History of Science 26 (2):171-193 (1993)
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Abstract

In theOrigin of Species, Charles Darwin (1809–82) briefly drew an analogy between languages and species, suggesting that the genealogical relationships between languages provide a model for discussing the descent and modification of species. Further, he suggested that just as languages often contain some vestige of earlier speech, for example silent, unpronounced letters, so the rudimentary organs of animals can provide clues about genealogy and descent.

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10.1017/s0007087400030740

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Liba Taub
Cambridge University

Citations of this work

“Curiously parallel”: Analogies of language and race in Darwin’s Descent of man. A reply to Gregory Radick.Stephen G. Alter - 2008 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 39 (3):355-358.

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References found in this work

The Descent of Man.Charles Darwin - 1948 - Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia 4 (2):216-216.
Language, Its Nature, Development, and Origin.Leonard Bloomfield & Otto Jespersen - 1922 - American Journal of Philology 43 (4):370.
From Locke to Saussure. Essays on the Study of Language and Intellectual History.[author unknown] - 1987 - Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 49 (3):529-530.
Forerunners of Darwin: 1745-1859.Eugene C. Holmes - 1960 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 21 (3):421-421.

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