Dark Ideas of Physics

Dark sky, black body, black hole, dark matter, dark energy: Why do physicists feel the need to obscure some of their ideas?

Asking this question does not make it possible to make room for some anecdotes, but to review the history of physics from beginning to end and bring many current issues to the agenda: The dark sky enigma that has occupied the minds of astronomers for centuries; blackbody radiation, which pioneered the quantum revolution with the studies on it; the black hole, a fascinating cosmic singularity; the mysterious hypotheses of contemporary cosmology are dark matter and dark energy... Astrophysicist Roland Lehoucq and philosopher of science Vincent Bontems, based on their own disciplines, shed light on the meaning of the terms "dark/dark" in these ideas, one by one.

Far from using popular language, Dark Ideas of Physics reveals a dialogue in which the scientific meaning of the color black and dreams about dark metaphors answer each other. Following in the footsteps of Gaston Bachelard, the first person to apply the psychoanalysis of images and epistemology simultaneously, the two researchers take the reader on a journey through the winding paths of scientific research, guided by the illuminations provided by admiring and critical views. The dark ideas of physics gain an inspiring and guiding appearance in this book.

Here is an unusual essay that will delight the readers, revolving around “land” and its echoes in astronomy. Apart from being bright and clever, it is also a book that appeals to the eye thanks to Scott Pennor's dreamlike illustrations.

Azar Khalatbari

Sciences et Avenir

08-12-2016

Dark Ideas of Physics is an elegant book, featuring Scott Pennor's illustrations that blend perfectly with the text. This work, which offers ideas to think about and even lead to dreaming, based on the challenging notions of physics, will blow the minds of readers who are especially sensitive to the metaphysical reflections of the big issues of cosmology.

Pierre Barbel

L'Astronomie

01-03-2017

Dark Ideas of Physics is not a popular science book, but a meditation on the “mysterious hypotheses of contemporary physics.”

France Culture Papiers

01-10-2017

A clear, understandable and pedagogical work that we highly recommend. A “perfect lesson in darkness” that reveals all the poetry of science.

Les Philosophes.fr

(From the Promotional Bulletin)

Dough Type: 2nd Dough

Number of Pages: 200

Size: 13 x 19.5

First Printing Year: 2020

Number of Printings: 1st Edition

Language: Turkish