Unweaving the Rainbow
Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder
Richard Dawkins
The author of The Selfish Gene offers a witty and insightful assessment of what science is, how it feeds the human appetite for wonder, and how "unweaving" the mysteries of science can be even more beautiful than the mystery itself. 50,000 first printing. Tour.
Dawkins explained that his book 'Unweaving the Rainbow' was a response to John Keats' complaint that Newton spoiled the poetry of the rainbow by explaining it. Dawkins argued that understanding the scientific explanation for the rainbow actually enhances its beauty and adds to its poetry.
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That was, we're up to 1998 now. That comes from Keats.
— Episode: Darwin’s Daring Idea with Richard Dawkin...
Episode: Darwin’s Daring Idea with Richard Dawkins
Dawkins explained that his book 'Unweaving the Rainbow' was a response to John Keats' complaint that Newton spoiled the poetry of the rainbow by explaining it. Dawkins argued that understanding the scientific explanation for the rainbow actually enhances its beauty and adds to its poetry.
"
That was, we're up to 1998 now. That comes from Keats.
Keats complained about Newton spoiling all the poetry of the rainbow by explaining it. My point was a point which you've made often enough, that actually there's far more poetry in really understanding the spectrum.
Episode: Exploring Science and Religion with Richard Dawkin...
Dawkins' book was mentioned as highly readable and lucid, and discussed the idea that science can enhance, rather than diminish, the poetic wonder of the world, specifically in relation to rainbows.
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Richard Dawkins, one of his books, of as many books, highly readable and lucid books, unweaving the rainbow, science, delusion, and the appetite for wonder.
Keith thought that Newton was destroying the poetry of the rainbow by explaining the spectrum...Well, completely destroying the mystery of it. Disploring the mystery of it. And the message of my book is that you don't, by destroying the mystery, you increase the poetry. You don't decrease it.
Episode: Exploring Science and Religion with Richard Dawkin...
It was mentioned as one of Richard Dawkins' many highly readable and lucid books, focusing on science, delusion, and the appetite for wonder, with the book's main message being that explaining mysteries enhances the poetry instead of diminishing it.
"
Richard Dawkins, one of his books, of as many books, highly readable and lucid books, unweaving the rainbow, science, delusion, and the appetite for wonder.
And the message of my book is that you don't, by destroying the mystery, you increase the poetry. You don't decrease it.
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