Single Idea 7516

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 2. Life]

Full Idea

In 1828 Friedrich Wöhler showed [by synthesising urea in the laboratory] that the stuff of life is not a magical, pulsating gel, but ordinary compounds following the laws of chemistry.

Gist of Idea

In 1828, the stuff of life was shown to be ordinary chemistry, not a magic gel

Source

Steven Pinker (The Blank Slate [2002], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Pinker,Steven: 'The Blank Slate' [Penguin 2003], p.30


A Reaction

Wöhler synthesised urea in the laboratory.