Sacred Theory of the Earth

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https://omeka-s.library.illinois.edu/s/rbml/item/3897
Title
Sacred Theory of the Earth
Description
Thomas Burnet, in Sacred Theory of the Earth (1680-1689), coined the phrase “Theory of the Earth”, although his was “Sacred” and not the first attempt to deduce the workings of the Earth from physical principals. Burnet’s theory was biblically based, but decidedly not literal, and contained elements that would later be expanded upon by future savants. Notably, Burnet proposed a finite Earth that had both a beginning and end, and experienced successive Epochs or revolutions (shown on the frontispiece of the volume), which implies a degree of directionality to this particular theory of the Earth. Although religious in terms of ultimate causes for the origin of the Earth, Burnet stressed the importance of considering only natural processes in deducing Earth’s past and future state.
Call Number (click link to view in library catalog)
Q. 213 B93tE1691
Authors
Burnet, Thomas
Full Title
The theory of the earth : containing an account of the original of the earth, and of all the general changes which it hath already undergone, or is to undergo till the consummation of all things : the two last books, concerning the burning of the world, and concerning the new heavens and new earth.
Date
1697
Publisher
Roger Norton
Location
London
Language
English
Rights
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Type
Text
Medium
Book
Bibliographic Citation
Burnet, Thomas. Sacred Theory of the Earth. London: Roger Norton, 1697.