The Lisbon Earthquake In 1755: Contested Meanings In The First Modern Disaster

摘要: Some disasters are considered more important than others with similar impacts. The meaning of a particular disaster occasion is created independent its consequences. Where there significant inconsistencies between the impact and meaning associated it should be interest to social sciences. "The focus here Lisbon earthquake, Nov. 1,1755, which can First "modern" disaster. It evoked a coordinated state emergency response as well forward looking comprehensive plan for reconstruction included mitigation efforts reduce future effects. Of circumstances led earthquake being attributed "natural" rather "supernatural" causes. Prior that, earthquakes traditionally had been interpreted dramatic means communication gods and humans. In particular, such events previously explained indicating some disturbance earthly heavenly spheres. The Lisbon be identified turning point in human history moved consideration such physical supernatural signals toward neutral or even secular, protoscientific causation.