Sofie Kaiprová:
Sources for theoretical and evolutionary views in the work of botanist Josef Velenovský (1858–1949)

Abstract

The present study is based upon a literary research on
the theoretical and evolutionary botanical concepts introduced by Josef Velenovský
(1858–1949), an eminent biologist in the Czech intellectual milieu of the turn of
the 20th century. After a brief description of the historical context of Velenovský’s
work, it deals with the transformations of Velenovský’s vision of evolution and the
most interesting aspects of his theoretical thinking. At the beginning of his scientific
career he fully acknowledged Darwin’s theory but in the late age he held to a large
extent contradictory views.

Language: czech

Keywords: history of botany, Josef Velenovský, evolutionary theory, natural selection, altruism