While I do sympathize with Keats, I do not share in his lament. His basic complaint is not just with Newton, but also with scientific discovery in general. He laments the deconstruction of mystery. Many people throughout history have agreed with Keats. The suggestion that some things be left unknown is a familiar one. However, would disagree with this in most situations. I do not believe that ignorance is bliss.

 

In the case of Newton, I actually believe the demystifying of the rainbow, creates this greater awe for the human mind. The fact is, we still perceive color. It is kind of amazing actually. The fact that light itself is colorless and the objects are colorless, yet when they are perceived through the human eye, brilliant color combinations are created. Even though a rainbow is pretty on its own, understanding the science behind it allows for a person to gain a new appreciation for the view that they never could have without the knowledge behind it. Science and understanding, bring new excitement to any occurrence.

 

This whole conversation on color and perception makes me think of the book the Giver. It has been my favorite book since I read it in elementary school. The basic premise is that the people live in a society where everyone is has a specific role and it is very organized. Over time, the elders have eliminated any sensations that provoke an emotional response. So while people still get married, they do not have sex; they are given two children that they must raise. Color has been eliminated so that people do not see race or ethnicity. Also, other things, like music, and art have been taken away from the society, because they are not seen as practical necessities. This in their opinion has allowed for a creation of a more perfect society. However, there is one boy, who sees color, he notices the red of an apple. So if this were a real place, then maybe he is the only one who has cones and the ability to perceive color. The rest of the people could have had their cones removed. So in the Giver society, the inability to see color is actually desirable. By understanding it is in the control of the people and not the object, the society has been able to remove color.

Advertisement