The intellectuals and naturalists who have considered evolution through the ages have been influenced by the philosophical movements through history. Materialism emphasizes the physical world and is the philosophy that matter is the only thing in the universe which has reality. Matter is, therefore, the basis of all that exists. The romantic movement occurred in the 1700's - mid 1800's.
Romanticism contrasts with classicism, and often was a revolt against classicism.
It was concerned with material change, and produced first ideas about processes of evolution. He apparently had a general understanding of the fundamental aspects of natural selection and adaptation , but he did not understand the mechanism . He also believed in extinction . Emphasized final , static perfection in organisms. Complex school of thought comprising many ideas contributed by a number of well known philosophers and naturalists over about 2,000 years.