A Plea for a New Synthesis: From Twentieth-Century Paleobiology to Twenty-First-Century Paleontology and Back Again

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This article examines the relationship between twentieth- and twenty-first-century paleobiology. After summarizing the disciplinary problem of paleontology in the mid-twentieth century, I focus on five representative research topics in contemporary paleontology. In doing so, I outline twenty-first-century paleontology as a science that seeks more data, more technology, and more integration. At the end of the paper, I highlight a possible new paleobiological revolution: it would give paleontologists strong political representation to deal with issues such as expanded evolutionary synthesis, conservation of the Earth’s environment, and global climate change. ABSTRACT: In this paper, I will briefly discuss the elements of novelty and continuity between twentieth-century paleobiology and twenty-first-century paleontology. First, I will outline the heated debate over the disciplinary status of paleontology in the mid-twentieth century. Second, I will analyze the main theoretical issue behind this debate by considering two prominent case studies within the broader paleobiology agenda. Third, I will turn to twenty-first century paleontology and address five representative research topics. In doing so, I will characterize twenty-first century paleontology as a science that strives for more data, more technology, and more integration. Finally, I will outline what twenty-first-century paleontology might inherit from twentieth-century paleobiology: the pursuit of and plea for a new synthesis that could lead to a second paleobiological revolution. Following in the footsteps of the paleobiological revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, the paleobiological revolution of the twenty-first century would enable paleontologists to gain strong political representation and argue with a decisive voice at the “high table” on issues such as the expanded evolutionary synthesis, the conservation of Earth’s environment, and global climate change.