The Shadow of Enlightenment: Optical and Political Transparency in France, 1789-1848
| AUTHOR | Levitt, Theresa |
| PUBLISHER | Oxford University Press, USA (03/01/2009) |
| PRODUCT TYPE | Hardcover (Hardcover) |
Description
This book is the first to place revolutionary advances in light and optics in the cultural context of France in the first half of the nineteenth century. The narrative follows the work and careers of France's two chief rivals on the subject of light: Arago and Biot. Their disagreement began on the subject of technical optics, but expanded to include politics, religion, agricultural policy, education, dinner companions, housing arrangements, photography, railroads, vital forces, astrology, the Egyptian calendar, and colonial slavery. At the heart of their disagreement was always a question of visibility, and the extent of transparency or obscurity they assigned to the world. Optical transparency formed a crucial condition for Arago's vision of a liberal republic governed by reason. Biot's call for strong forms of authority rested on his claims that the world did not offer itself up for universal agreement so easily.
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Product Format
Product Details
ISBN-13:
9780199544707
ISBN-10:
0199544700
Binding:
Hardback or Cased Book (Sewn)
Content Language:
English
More Product Details
Page Count:
304
Carton Quantity:
1
Product Dimensions:
6.10 x 0.70 x 9.20 inches
Weight:
1.05 pound(s)
Feature Codes:
Bibliography,
Index,
Dust Cover,
Maps,
Table of Contents,
Illustrated
Country of Origin:
US
Subject Information
BISAC Categories
Science | History
Science | Physics - Optics & Light
Science | Europe - France
Dewey Decimal:
530.094
Library of Congress Control Number:
2008048422
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
publisher marketing
This book is the first to place revolutionary advances in light and optics in the cultural context of France in the first half of the nineteenth century. The narrative follows the work and careers of France's two chief rivals on the subject of light: Arago and Biot. Their disagreement began on the subject of technical optics, but expanded to include politics, religion, agricultural policy, education, dinner companions, housing arrangements, photography, railroads, vital forces, astrology, the Egyptian calendar, and colonial slavery. At the heart of their disagreement was always a question of visibility, and the extent of transparency or obscurity they assigned to the world. Optical transparency formed a crucial condition for Arago's vision of a liberal republic governed by reason. Biot's call for strong forms of authority rested on his claims that the world did not offer itself up for universal agreement so easily.
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Author:
Levitt, Theresa
Theresa Levitt held the McDonnell-Barksdale Chair of History of Science at the University of Mississippi and is associate professor of history there. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she has a master s degree in history from Iowa State University and a PhD from Harvard University. She was the recipient of a National Science Foundation grant and a Fulbright IIE Graduate Research Fellowship, among other honors. She is the author of numerous articles and papers on a variety of scientific subjects.
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List Price $115.00
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