User:Ashleyweir

Welcome

Welcome to my user page! My name is Ashley Weir and I'm a student at Bucknell University majoring in Economics and Environmental Studies. This spring, I'll be learning how to edit and write articles on Wikipedia in my History of Ecology course.

My Topic

Kosmos

Kosmos is important to Wikipedia because it was an important work of Humboldt's, who was very influential in the history of ecology. I'd like to learn more about this treatise because in it Humboldt applies the ancient Greek view of the orderliness of the cosmos to the Earth. I've always been interested in Greek mythology, and Humboldt applying ideas from the Ancient Greeks to his studies intrigues me. Also, his work was controversial for his time because in Kosmos he speaks of the spirituality of the natural world in general terms rather than referencing a creator. I'm interested in learning more about his work and the critiques it may have received due to the way he chose to write it. The Wikipedia article for Kosmos is also very short, so I'm sure there is a lot of information that could be added.

Outline

Kosmos (usually referred to in English as "Cosmos") was an influential treatise on science and nature written by the German scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt. Kosmos began as a lecture series delivered by Humboldt at the University of Berlin, and was published in five volumes between 1845 and 1862 (the fifth was posthumous and completed based on Humboldt's notes). Widely read by academics and laymen alike, it applied the ancient Greek view of the orderliness of the cosmos (the universe) to the Earth, suggesting that universal laws applied as well to the apparent chaos of the terrestrial world.

Kosmos was influenced by Humboldt’s various travels and studies, but mainly by his journey throughout the Americas. As he wrote, “it was the discovery of America that planted the seed of the Cosmos.” Due to all of his experience in the field, Humboldt was preeminently qualified for the task to represent the universe in a single work. He had extensive knowledge of many fields of learning, varied experiences as a traveler, and the resources of the scientific and literary world at his disposal.

Kosmos was received spectacularly when it was released, with the first volume selling out in two months, and the work translated into most European languages. Although Kosmos is considered to be a scientific and literary achievement, Humboldt’s work has become somewhat outdated with the advancement of natural sciences. However, Humboldt’s text has made many contributions to scientific progress in his conception of the unity of science, nature, and mankind.