Sneath, Peter

The first two chapters come nearest to this endeavor since they are written by historians of science, skilled in the art of unprejudiced commentary. Mary (Polly) Winsor (Chapter 1) has some rather penetrating statements on scientists writing history, claiming that some do so to influence the future. Her case is compelling even though it may sound uncomfortable to some and is exemplified by the writings of Ernst Mayr and Peter Sneath who, she claims, set up Darwin and Adanson, respectively, as forefathers of their own views. 

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