Shadows: Unlocking Their Secrets, from Plato to Our Time

by Roberto Casati

In this original, wide-ranging, and endlessly thought-provoking work of popular nonfiction, a leading science writer uncovers the pervasive presence of shadows in our world.

For Plato, shadows were the symbol of our limitations. For Galileo, they knocked the Earth from the center of the cosmos. They are a source of fear and a symbol of ignorance, and they loom large in art and design, mythology and folklore, physics and metaphysics, and architecture and urban planning. From shadows puppets and the psychology of shadows to the role of shadows in astronomy and the influence of shadows on the architectural profiles of our cities, Roberto Casati awakens our fascination in this tour-de-force of investigation and imagination.

Genres: Science

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Roberto Casati è un filosofo italiano. Direttore di Ricerca al Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) all'Institut Nicod, École normale supérieure di Parigi, è autore di saggi specialistici e di divulgazione, e ha insegnato in diverse università europee e statunitensi.

Reviews

[Bonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to measure the heavens,
now I shall measure the shadows of the earth.
Although my soul was from heaven,
the shadow of my body lies here.
~Kepler's epitaph

This had the perfect combination of the cultural mythology, history, art, architecture, and science of shadows to keep me completely absorbed. I especially liked the time spent on the psychology of shadows, the sundial and Vatican chapters, as well as the detailed explanations of the importance of shadows to astronomical research. What an intriguing read.

[Nat]

Aside from a few intriguing philosophical puzzles in the beginning, this is primarily about astronomical discoveries made possible by attention to shadows of various sorts: the shadow of Saturn's ring (and the shadow of Saturn on its ring), the phases of the moon and Venus, the shadow of Mercury in front of the sun, solar and lunar eclipses, and so on. Most mind-blowing to me was the idea that a sundial is just one part of a massive clock that has the earth and the sun as parts.

[Michael Van Kerckhove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some writerly research. Cool stuff to be inspired by. A mix of cultural and scientific/technical examinations. Good stuff.