European Science Café: “Goethe and Newton – A scientific discourse on the Theory of Colors”

For the September program of the European-Science Café the Goethe-Zentrum / German Cultural Center Atlanta presents in partnership with the Consulates General of Switzerland, Great Britain, Belgium, Ireland, and France, Alliance Française, and Science Tavern an evening dedicated to “Goethe and Newton – A scientific discourse on the Theory of Colors”. The Geothe-Zentrum invites you to join them and Historian Dr. Kenneth Knoespel, McEver Professor of Engineering and the Liberal Arts, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Georgia Institute of Technology for his lecture on this topic followed by a discussion.

Isaac Newton published Opticks in 1704, a groundbreaking book on the fundamental nature of light and color. Using a prism he separated white light into its individual components, united the spectral colors back to white light and discovered the complementary colors. This finding had quite an impact on Goethe who would spend years trying to prove Newton wrong. For an aesthetic as Goethe, it did not seem possible that light consists of colors. For him white light was indivisible and purely homogeneous. On the contrary, Goethe believed that colors arise from the battle of darkness and brightness. In 1810 he released “Theory of Colors”, a book which prompted a storm of criticism. Only the part on human perception of colors received recognition.

It’s all taking place at the Goethe-Zentrum on Wednesday September 14 in partnership with the Atlanta Science Tavern.

Join them from 5:30 pm for some light refreshments and snacks!