Summary
Gaston Bachelard argues that the unpredictable behavior of subatomic particles challenges the ordered, mechanistic universe perceived by nineteenth-century scientists. He uses his scientific training and interest in the nonrational, which led him to poetics, to examine the profound implications of this new physics. Bachelard's work reveals how the seemingly neat scientific models of the past are insufficient to grasp the deeper meanings emerging from contemporary scientific discoveries.
By connecting scientific inquiry with poetic sensibility, Bachelard encourages a re-evaluation of our understanding of the universe. Readers gain insight into how scientific progress can necessitate a shift in perspective, moving beyond empirical observation to consider less rational or intuitive dimensions of scientific phenomena. The book bridges the gap between scientific understanding and a broader appreciation of complex, non-linear realities.
Key concepts
- New physics — The contemporary understanding of the physical world, characterized by the unpredictable behavior of subatomic particles.
- Mechanistic universe — The nineteenth-century view of the universe as a predictable, orderly, and machine-like system.
- Nonrational — Aspects of experience or understanding that do not adhere to logical or empirical reasoning.
- Poetics — The study of poetry and its principles, which Bachelard uses as a lens to explore scientific ideas.
From the book
Description: In this book, Bachelard draws upon both his scientific training and his interest in the nonrational - which ultimately drew him toward the study of poetics - to explore the deeper meanings of the new physics. In Bachelard's view, the unpredictable behaviour of subatomic particles belies the seemingly neat, ordered, and mechanistic universe that the practical and empirical scientists of the nineteenth century thought they saw.
Snippet: In this book, Bachelard draws upon both his scientific training and his interest in the nonrational - which ultimately drew him toward the study of poetics - to explore the deeper meanings of the new physics.