Liberal Arts Faculty Books
Title
The Shadow of Enlightenment: Optical and Political Transparency in France 1789-1848
Files
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.
ISBN
9780199544707
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Relational Format
book
Department
Arch Dalrymple III Department of History
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Disciplines
European History | Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Recommended Citation
Levitt, Theresa H., "The Shadow of Enlightenment: Optical and Political Transparency in France 1789-1848" (2009). Liberal Arts Faculty Books. 117.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/libarts_book/117