Ernst Haeckel's biodynamics 1866 and the occult basis of organic farming.
One hundred and 50 years ago (Sept. 1866), Ernst Haeckel published a monograph entitled General Morphology of Organisms, wherein key terms, such as Protista, Monera, ontogeny, phylogeny, ecology and the 'biogenetic law' where introduced. In addition, Haeckel coined the word "biodynamics" as a synonym for "general physiology." In contrast, Rudolf Steiner's "biodynamic agriculture," which originated in 1924, and was promoted via Ehrenfried Pfeiffer's book of 1938 with the same title, is an occult pseudoscience still popular today. The misuse of Haeckel's term to legitimize disproven homeopathic principles and esoteric rules within the context of applied plant research is unacceptable.
a Institute of Biology, University of Kassel , Kassel , Germany.
Ulrich
U
Kutschera
D049672:History, 19th Century; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000592:standards*; D058871:Organic Agriculture / Q000266:history*
Agriculture; Ernst Haeckel; Julius Sachs; biodynamic farming; organic movement