Lecomte du Nouy
French Biophysicist and Philosopher
Pierre Lecomte du Noüy (1883-1947) is probably best remembered by scientists for his work on the surface tension, and other properties, of liquids.
He invented the Tensiometer, a scientific apparatus that used his du Noüy ring method to measure the surface tension of liquids.
Du Noüy believed that mankind should have confidence in science, but be aware that we know less about the material world than is commonly believed.
Du Noüy converted from agnosticism to Christianity. He supported a theistic and teleological interpretation of evolution. In his book Human Destiny he wrote that biological evolution continues to a spiritual and moral plane.
Du Noüy developed his own hypothesis of orthogenesis known as "telefinalism". According to Du Noüy evolution could not occur by chance alone and that on an average since "the beginning of the world it has followed an ascending path, always oriented in the same direction."
He accepted naturalistic evolutionary mechanisms such as mutation and natural selection but believed science could not explain all evolutionary phenomena or the origin of life. According to his telefinalist hypothesis a transcendent cause which he equated with God is directing the evolutionary process.
Human Destiny eBook by Lecomte du Nouy
Here science turns toward the solution of the most pressing questions of the universe. Is there a ..
$4.95 $9.95