Goethe Contra Newton: Polemics and the Project for a New Science of Color

Dennis L. Sepper

Cambridge University Press, Feb 13, 2003 - Philosophy - 240 pages

This book explains the background and rationale of the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's notorious attack on Isaac Newton's classic theory of white light and colors. Though the merits of Goethe's color science, as advanced in his massive Zur Farbenlehre, have often been acknowledged, it has been almost unanimously proclaimed invalid as physics. How could Goethe have been so mistaken? In his book, Dennis Sepper shows that the condemnation of Goethe's attacks on Newton has been based on erroneous assumptions about the history of Newton's theory and the methods and goals of Goethe's color science. By illuminating the historical background and the experimental, methodological, and philosophical aspects of Goethe's work, the author shows that his color theory is in an important sense genuinely physical and that, as simultaneously poet, scientist, historian, and philosopher, Goethe managed to anticipate important twentieth-century research not only in the history and philosophy of science, but even in color science itself.

What people are saying

User Review -

really good book on the history of colour — examines and challenges the history of the newtonian theory, and what we can learn about colour, and the perception of colour from a modern standpoint. highly recommended!

Contents

• Defining the questions of the Farbenlehre: 1
• Color theory color phenomena: 9
• An overview of the argument: 16
• The Farbenlehre in its origin: 22
• the beginnings: 23
• The German scientific compendia and their problems: 27
• Goethe and method: 38
• The Beitrage zur Optik: 45
• the experiments: 46
• the way to a context for science: 57
• The methodological background in Der Versuch als Vermittler: 65
• The positive and negative doctrines of the Beitrage: 79
• Toward Zur Farbenlehre: 88
• The problematics of Newtons theory of white light and colors: 100
• Newtons Letter on the theory of white light and colors: 105
• context and intent: 130
• The experimentum crucis as refutation: 134
• Goethes critique of the experimental argument: 142
• Factuality certainty and the organization of science: 158
• Certainty in science: 164
• The organization of science: 170
• Goethe and the ethos of science: 174
• The manifold project of Zur Farbenlehre: 179
• Aperqus language and the problematics of truth: 184
• Appendix: 196
• Notes: 201
• References: 211
• Index: 218

About the author

Dennis L. Sepper, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Dallas, is author most recently of "Newton's Optical Writings: A Guided Study

Bibliographic information

• Title: Goethe Contra Newton: Polemics and the Project for a New Science of Color
• Author: Dennis L. Sepper
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2003
• ISBN: 0521531322, 9780521531320
• Length: 240 pages
• Subjects: Gardening / Fruit; Philosophy / History & Surveys / General; Philosophy / History & Surveys / Modern