Various evolutionary ideas had already been proposed to explain new findings in biology. There was growing support for such ideas among dissident anatomists and the general public, but during the first half of the 19th century the English scientific establishment was closely tied to the Church of England, while science was part of natural theology. Ideas about the transmutation of species were controversial as they conflicted with the beliefs that species were unchanging parts of a designed hierarchy and that humans were unique, unrelated to other animals. The political and theological implications were intensely debated, but transmutation was not accepted by the scientific mainstream. COUNT 5
QSN1 Which group of scientists began to support evolutionary ideas? ANS1 dissident anatomists QSN2 Which powerful religious institution was a big part of scientific study in the 19th century? ANS2 the Church of England QSN3 What was the general opinion about transmutation of species in the 19th century? ANS3 Ideas about the transmutation of species were controversial QSN4 How did the majority of science see humanity in relation to animals in the 19th century? ANS4 that humans were unique, unrelated to other animals. QSN5 Which theology did everyone agree science was a part of in the 19th century? ANS5 natural theology