Final answer:
The Great Chain of Being is a hierarchical structure that originated from the belief in interconnectedness of all things. It gained popularity during the Medieval period and influenced philosophers and theologians. The concept can be traced back to ancient Greece and gained renewed interest with the theory of evolution in the nineteenth century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Chain of Being is a concept detailing a hierarchical structure of all matter and life. It originated from the belief that all things in the universe are interconnected and arranged in a strict hierarchical order, with God at the top and various levels of beings below. The concept was popularized during the Medieval period and influenced both philosophers and theologians.
The idea of the Great Chain of Being can be traced back to ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, but it gained renewed popularity in the nineteenth century with the theory of evolution. The idea influenced thinkers in various fields, including philosophers like Alfred North Whitehead and Charles Hartshorne.