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On this day in 1830: Beginning of the famous debate between French naturalists Georges Cuvier and Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire on animal structure.
For around two months the debate occurred in front of the French Academy of Sciences.
For around two months the debate occurred in front of the French Academy of Sciences.
Cuvier asserted that animal structure was determined by an organism's functional needs while Geoffroy suggested an alternative theory that all animal structures were modified forms of one unified plan.
In terms of scientific significance, the discussion between the two naturalists showed stark differences in scientific methods as well as general philosophy.
Cuvier is generally considered the winner of the debate, as he always came better prepared to the debate with overwhelming amounts of evidence and more logical arguments, as well as having more political and academic influence.
Despite this, Geoffroy's philosophy is seen as early support of evolution theory and parts of the theory of the "unity of composition" are generally more accepted over Cuvier's fixed species philosophy.
