CATASTROPHISME ET CATASTROPHES NATURELLES DANS LE DISCOURS SCIENTIFIQUE ENTRE LA DEUXIÈME MOITIÉ DU XVIIIE SIECLE ET LE DÉBUT DU XIXE SIÈCLE
Catastrophism and Natural Disasters in Scientific Discourse Between the Second Half of the 18th Century and the Early 19th Century

Summary/Abstract: From the second half of the 18th century onwards, the discourse on natural disasters, previously dominated by metaphysical determinism, takes a decisive turn in the evolution and conceptions of seeing the world. The development of Earth sciences, the birth of numerous natural disciplines, and new knowledge in the fields of biology and history opened up new perspectives and broadened the severely reductionist interpretation of the origin of life. The mythical imagery of catastrophe continued to haunt minds in the following century, but there was an increasingly obvious renunciation of religious explanations to justify misfortune or divine punishment. This trend gradually took hold, while retaining the fascination of its destructive power, but also of its symbolic image of renewal and regeneration. The representation of catastrophe and the transformation of its status from divine punishment to an event that affects the history of the Earth and its population make man aware of his active role in the destiny of his History, and provoke new reflections on his place in the universe.

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