The Philosophy of Earthquakes, Natural and Religious / or, An Inquiry Into Their Cause, and Their Purpose

Name: The Philosophy of Earthquakes, Natural and Religious / or, An Inquiry Into Their Cause, and Their Purpose
Author: William Stukeley

By William Stukeley

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)Philosophy & Ethics Religion/Spirituality Science - Earth/Agricultural/Farming

About This Book

The author assembles eyewitness observations of earthquakes, listing characteristic features—calm weather and seas, wide geographic reach, varying intensity, a preceding roaring noise, stronger motion in upper stories and rigid structures, and transient effects on wells—and critiques the common explanation that subterranean fires, vapors, or explosions produce them. After arguing these causes are inadequate, he proposes a different natural mechanism and closes by drawing moral and theological reflections, insisting that natural philosophy should be informed by religious purpose and lead to spiritual humility.

About the Author

William Stukeley

William Stukeley (1687–1765) was an English antiquarian and physician, best known for his pioneering studies of prehistoric monuments in Britain. His works, including "Stonehenge, a Temple Restor'd to the British Druids," reflect his deep interest in the ancient Druids and their religious practices. Stukeley's detailed observations and illustrations contributed significantly to the understanding of megalithic structures and their cultural significance. He also authored "Abury, A Temple of the British Druids, With Some Others, Described," where he explored the ceremonial landscape of Avebury. His writings blend archaeology, history, and philosophy, marking him as a notable figure in the early development of archaeology as a discipline.