The Pursuit of knowledge: Scientific Enquiry in His Dark Materials

Alison Waller

The Pursuit of knowledge: Scientific Enquiry in His Dark Materials

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter explores the pursuit of knowledge in Pullman’s His Dark Materials, with a particular focus on scientific enquiry. This form of understanding represents a key epistemology in the series, although by no means the only one: other forms of knowledge – philosophical, poetic, sexual and so on – are also crucial to the narrative and often add nuance to the portrayals of science readers encounter. I explore the shifting ground Pullman covers, firstly by surveying the world of science in His Dark Materials; then by considering the key scientist figures (professional and amateur) in the trilogy and finally, by analysing the characterisation of Lyra and Will as natural enquirers. I suggest that the increasing importance of ‘connectedness’ can usefully be related to recent moves by some scientists to attempt a ‘theory of everything’.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Philip Pullman. Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. 58-75.
Editors	Catherine Butler, Halsdorf Tommy
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Pages	58-75
ISBN (Print)	9781137336798
Publication status	Published - 2014

Access to Document

https://he.palgrave.com/page/detail/philip-pullman-catherine-butler/?sf1=barcode&st1=9781137336798

Cite this

@inbook{6e771a632f3c463ea51915d5a9635175,

title = "The Pursuit of knowledge: Scientific Enquiry in His Dark Materials",

abstract = "This chapter explores the pursuit of knowledge in Pullman{\textquoteright}s His Dark Materials, with a particular focus on scientific enquiry. This form of understanding represents a key epistemology in the series, although by no means the only one: other forms of knowledge – philosophical, poetic, sexual and so on – are also crucial to the narrative and often add nuance to the portrayals of science readers encounter. I explore the shifting ground Pullman covers, firstly by surveying the world of science in His Dark Materials; then by considering the key scientist figures (professional and amateur) in the trilogy and finally, by analysing the characterisation of Lyra and Will as natural enquirers. I suggest that the increasing importance of {\textquoteleft}connectedness{\textquoteright} can usefully be related to recent moves by some scientists to attempt a {\textquoteleft}theory of everything{\textquoteright}.",

author = "Alison Waller",

year = "2014",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781137336798",

pages = "58--75",

editor = "Catherine Butler and Halsdorf Tommy",

booktitle = "Philip Pullman. Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. 58-75.",

publisher = "Palgrave Macmillan",

}

TY - CHAP

T1 - The Pursuit of knowledge: Scientific Enquiry in His Dark Materials

AU - Waller, Alison

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - This chapter explores the pursuit of knowledge in Pullman’s His Dark Materials, with a particular focus on scientific enquiry. This form of understanding represents a key epistemology in the series, although by no means the only one: other forms of knowledge – philosophical, poetic, sexual and so on – are also crucial to the narrative and often add nuance to the portrayals of science readers encounter. I explore the shifting ground Pullman covers, firstly by surveying the world of science in His Dark Materials; then by considering the key scientist figures (professional and amateur) in the trilogy and finally, by analysing the characterisation of Lyra and Will as natural enquirers. I suggest that the increasing importance of ‘connectedness’ can usefully be related to recent moves by some scientists to attempt a ‘theory of everything’.

AB - This chapter explores the pursuit of knowledge in Pullman’s His Dark Materials, with a particular focus on scientific enquiry. This form of understanding represents a key epistemology in the series, although by no means the only one: other forms of knowledge – philosophical, poetic, sexual and so on – are also crucial to the narrative and often add nuance to the portrayals of science readers encounter. I explore the shifting ground Pullman covers, firstly by surveying the world of science in His Dark Materials; then by considering the key scientist figures (professional and amateur) in the trilogy and finally, by analysing the characterisation of Lyra and Will as natural enquirers. I suggest that the increasing importance of ‘connectedness’ can usefully be related to recent moves by some scientists to attempt a ‘theory of everything’.

UR - https://he.palgrave.com/page/detail/philip-pullman-catherine-butler/?sf1=barcode&st1=9781137336798

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781137336798

SP - 58

EP - 75

BT - Philip Pullman. Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. 58-75.

A2 - Butler, Catherine

A2 - Tommy, Halsdorf

PB - Palgrave Macmillan

ER -