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Why Unweaving the rainbow?
So . . . Why name my website "Unweaving the Rainbow?" In short, because often times that is what some people accuse science of doing to the world and its wonders. In his book, Unweaving the Rainbow, Richard Dawkins makes reference to a poem by John Keats. In the poem, Keats alludes to the possibility that Isaac Newton diminishes the beauty of a rainbow, by breaking it down into its component parts in order to study it. In essence, Keats asserts that somehow "understanding" what a rainbow is, and how it works, diminishes its beauty.
I think there is a little of this in everyone, and it often drives the denial, fear and apprehension of science in our society. In particular, people fear the possibility that humans are not "special." What if it is not all here just for us? What if we are not the "purpose?" And, so it goes. . . . humans are quick to deny our place in a natural chain of events - Just as we once denied the Earth was round and the Sun was the center of the solar system.
Some claim we have "dominion" over the world around us, and the other creatures that inhabit it. There are those that claim our actions are not responsible for the global climate changes we are seeing - even though the evidence would suggest otherwise. Many deny that we have common ancestors with the other organisms that share our world today - even though 150 years of scientific observation tells us that this is exactly the case. Why is this?
Does an understanding of science really diminish the beauty of our world? If we are just "a part" of a natural chain of events, does that make us less special? Does it make us insignificant? Does it make our life less meaningful? Does understanding our own history as a species, the world we live in, and the universe we have yet to really explore actually detract from its beauty? Are we better off ignoring what we observe so that we can maintain a more pleasant and flattering illusion of our place in the cosmos?
I would contend that understanding our history, our world and our universe does not diminish the beauty around us, but rather, it should enhance our appreciation of where we find ourselves. No . . . . I think not - science and understanding do not "reduce" the grandeur of nature by "explaining" it. Ignorance is not bliss.
On the contrary, science and understanding provide a context for us to comprehend just how fortunate and special we really are. It is only through a firm knowledge of the world around us that we can come to appreciate all that we have, and why we should make the most of the time we are so lucky to enjoy. It is only when a person fully comes to realize the intricate chain of events that led to "them" that they can fully realize how special their life is. This can only be understood through science. Watch the following clip, a segment from Dawkins' book, and see if you agree.
I think there is a little of this in everyone, and it often drives the denial, fear and apprehension of science in our society. In particular, people fear the possibility that humans are not "special." What if it is not all here just for us? What if we are not the "purpose?" And, so it goes. . . . humans are quick to deny our place in a natural chain of events - Just as we once denied the Earth was round and the Sun was the center of the solar system.
Some claim we have "dominion" over the world around us, and the other creatures that inhabit it. There are those that claim our actions are not responsible for the global climate changes we are seeing - even though the evidence would suggest otherwise. Many deny that we have common ancestors with the other organisms that share our world today - even though 150 years of scientific observation tells us that this is exactly the case. Why is this?
Does an understanding of science really diminish the beauty of our world? If we are just "a part" of a natural chain of events, does that make us less special? Does it make us insignificant? Does it make our life less meaningful? Does understanding our own history as a species, the world we live in, and the universe we have yet to really explore actually detract from its beauty? Are we better off ignoring what we observe so that we can maintain a more pleasant and flattering illusion of our place in the cosmos?
I would contend that understanding our history, our world and our universe does not diminish the beauty around us, but rather, it should enhance our appreciation of where we find ourselves. No . . . . I think not - science and understanding do not "reduce" the grandeur of nature by "explaining" it. Ignorance is not bliss.
On the contrary, science and understanding provide a context for us to comprehend just how fortunate and special we really are. It is only through a firm knowledge of the world around us that we can come to appreciate all that we have, and why we should make the most of the time we are so lucky to enjoy. It is only when a person fully comes to realize the intricate chain of events that led to "them" that they can fully realize how special their life is. This can only be understood through science. Watch the following clip, a segment from Dawkins' book, and see if you agree.