Science in Spain at the Fin-de-Siècle Crossroads (19th Century)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show how the atmosphere that surrounds the introduction of new scientific theories in Spain in the last third of the 19th century is contaminated by prejudices that are external to science. The age, characterized by a series of intellectual, political and ideological controversies that generally affect every aspect of life, show various episodes that generate disputes, facing the introduction of new scientific ideas. By those years, Spain lives an age of changes and reflection at different levels, and amongst them, scientific and technologic issues; the last fourth of the century stands out by the social and political compromise of those who are a part of scientific, literary and intellectual spheres, a compromise that usually becomes activism. Naturalism and the discussion about the new aesthetical movement share some of the critics received by Darwinism in scientific and academic spheres. Here it is proposed a revision of such episodes, as well as a view on the main literary expressions of the age, in order to analyze in which way science is represented at this field of cultural production.