preformationists

preformationists believed that embryos were preformed in the sperm.

many preformationists argued that all generations were nested within the first.

historically, preformationists debated whether the homunculus resided in the egg or sperm.

preformationists rejected the idea of epigenesis during the 17th century.

the theory favored by preformationists implied that creation was a single event.

preformationists could not explain how the tiny organism increased in size.

early preformationists thought the head of the sperm contained a tiny man.

scientific debates often pitted preformationists against proponents of epigenesis.

preformationists viewed the development of organisms as simply a growth process.

microscopes helped preformationists imagine they saw fully formed figures in gametes.

the philosophical views of preformationists aligned with a deterministic worldview.

preformationists claimed that the complexity of life required a pre-existing structure.