The Tension Between Poetry and Mathematics in the Scientific Realm
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Chapter 1: The Conflict of Perspectives
The intricate relationship between poetry and science has sparked debate for centuries. This discourse often revolves around contrasting views from influential figures like Goethe and Blake, particularly regarding the methodologies employed to grasp the nature of reality.
Goethe, Blake, and Newton
In the early pages of his Theory of Colours (1810), Goethe critiques Newton's light theory. He argues that acquiring knowledge on a subject demands persistent and focused effort. He believes that many individuals opt for a broad theoretical framework rather than engaging deeply with empirical details, which hinders genuine understanding. Goethe posits that this tendency stems from a form of intellectual laziness, as people prefer to construct abstract theories instead of closely observing phenomena.
Goethe's critique extends to Newton's acceptance as the ultimate authority on light. He claims that Newton's reliance on a singular, complex phenomenon inhibits the exploration of color phenomena. Goethe argues that Newton's theories, akin to a hypothetical astronomer placing the moon at the solar system's center, force explanations that obscure fundamental errors. Goethe maintains that Newton's eagerness to theorize results in a misleading interpretation of new observations, labeling his approach as deceptive.
Similarly, Blake champions the importance of tangible reality over abstract theories. He contends that our mental representations of objects fall short of the richness of direct observation. Thus, he argues that making deductions about natural phenomena based on ideas rather than firsthand experience is fundamentally flawed. This shared skepticism towards theoretical science highlights a significant divide in how both Goethe and Blake perceive scientific inquiry.
In contemporary thought, it seems self-evident that phenomena adhere to mathematical principles, a notion rooted in the collective consciousness shaped by thinkers like Newton. However, the belief in mathematics as an expression of truth was not universally accepted until the latter half of the 19th century.
The video titled "Poetry As the Mathematics of Meaning: A Poet From Scribe | Bradley Nordell" delves into the intersections of poetry and mathematical thought, examining how both realms contribute to understanding human experience.
Section 1.1: Romanticism vs. Mathematical Rigor
The Romantic approach, characterized by a deferral of judgment until thorough observation occurs, ironically aligns with a more empirical form of science. For instance, to validate the assertion that the sum of angles in a triangle equals 180 degrees, one would test various triangle types through direct measurement rather than relying solely on abstract mathematical proofs.
In contrast, Newtonian theory often relies on mathematical reasoning to substantiate claims. Goethe's method, on the other hand, emphasizes detailed observation and synthesis, resulting in a catalog of examples that inform principles. This divergence in methodology leads to markedly different conclusions, as seen when comparing Goethe's Theory of Colours with Newton's Opticks.
Romantics viewed the world as a living organism rather than a mechanical construct, a perspective that took on explicit form in Naturphilosophie in Germany. The Romantic commitment to detailed observation was animated by a passionate spirit, contrasting sharply with the often sterile and reductive approaches of Newtonian science.
Chapter 2: Diverging Paths in Knowledge Acquisition
The video "Jessy Randall | Rattlecast 160" explores the intersection of poetic expression and scientific inquiry, shedding light on how these disciplines inform and enrich one another.
The debate surrounding the two paradigms—natural philosophy versus natural history—persisted well into the Romantic era, exemplified by figures such as Sir Joseph Banks, who advocated for natural history despite facing resistance from proponents of natural philosophy. This contention highlights the ongoing struggle within scientific communities regarding the appropriate focus of inquiry.
Ultimately, neither approach prevails entirely. The ironic realization is that the Romantic approach, often perceived as less rigorous, yields an empirical quality, while the more technical methods of figures like Galileo and Newton reveal complexities of non-linearity and indeterminacy in modern science.
The dialectical nature of scientific progress illustrates that human advancement does not occur linearly but through a process of upheaval and transformation. Poetry serves a vital role in stabilizing society amid such turbulence, offering a synthesis that embraces opposing forces rather than seeking mere compromise.
In the realm of oratory, figures like Frederick Douglass exemplify this dynamic. Douglass's powerful rhetoric embodies a fusion of understanding and outrage, allowing him to resonate deeply with his audience. His juxtaposition of American ideals and the stark injustices of slavery embodies the creative tension that drives societal change.
The dialectic of scientific inquiry is characterized by the interplay of contrasting approaches. As we see with figures like Humphry Davy, who blended storytelling with scientific exploration, the relationship between the two realms is complex and multifaceted.
The Romantic era's conclusion around 1830 coincided with a perceived stagnation in British scientific progress. The subsequent generation gravitated towards a Newtonian framework that has since dominated scientific thought, overshadowing the rich interplay of imagination and empirical observation that characterized earlier inquiry.
Notes
[1] Eastlake, Charles Lock, Goethe's Theory of Colours; Translated From the German: With Notes by Charles Lock Eastlake, John Murray, London, 1840, pp xxxvii — xxxviii
[2] Frye, Northrop, Fearful Symmetry: A Study of William Blake, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1969, p 16
[3] Newton, Isaac, Optics: Or, A Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections and Colours of Light., (Fourth Edition), Dover Publications Inc., New York, 1952.
[4] Haynes, Roslynn D., From Faust to Strangelove: Representations of the Scientist in Western Literature, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London, 1994, pp 76
[5] Richards, Robert J, The Romantic Conception of Life: Science and Philosophy in the Age of Goethe, University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London, 2002, p 407
[6] Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, The Metamorphosis of Plants, (Translated by and with an introduction and photography by, Gordon L Miller), The MIT Press, London, 2009, p xvi
[7] Hall, A. Rupert, Isaac Newton: Adventurer in Thought, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1992
[8] Heringman, Noah (ed.), Romantic Science: The Literary Forms of Natural History, State University of New York Press, Albany, 2003, p 2
[9] Needleman, Jacob, The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders, Tarcher and Putnam, New York, 2003, p 242
[10] Holmes, Richard, The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science, Harper Press, London, 2009, p 239
[11] Holmes, p 247
[12] Frye, Northrop, Fearful Symmetry: A Study of William Blake, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1969, p 17
[13] Rupert, Jane, Uneasy relations: reason in literature and science from Aristotle to Darwin and Blake, Marquette University Press, Wisconsin, 2010, pp 149–152
[14] Holmes, Richard, The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science, Harper Press, London, 2009, pp 435–437