ECU Libraries Catalog

Edgar Allan Poe, Eureka, and scientific imagination / David N. Stamos.

Author/creator Stamos, David N., 1957- author.
Format Book and Print
Publication Info Albany, NY : State University of New York Press, [2017]
Descriptionxvi, 586 pages ; 24 cm
Subject(s)
Contents Prologue -- Poe's literary theory -- Poe's theology -- Poe's intellectual background -- The scientific anticipations of Eureka -- Imagination in philosophy and history of science -- Poe's theory of scientific imagination -- Epilogue.
Summary In 1848, almost a year and a half before Edgar Allan Poe died at the age of forty, his book 'Eureka' was published. In it, he weaved together his scientific speculations about the universe with his own literary theory, theology, and philosophy of science. Although Poe himself considered it to be his magnum opus, 'Eureka' has mostly been overlooked or underappreciated, sometimes even to the point of being thought an elaborate hoax. Remarkably, however, in 'Eureka' Poe anticipated at least nine major theories and developments in twentieth-century science, including the Big Bang theory, multiverse theory, and the solution to Olbers? paradox. In this book - the first devoted specifically to Poe?s science side - David N. Stamos, a philosopher of science, combines scientific background with analysis of Poe?s life and work to highlight the creative and scientific achievements of this text. He examines Poe?s literary theory, theology, and intellectual development, and then compares Poe?s understanding of science with that of scientists and philosophers from his own time to the present. Next, Stamos pieces together and clarifies Poe?s theory of scientific imagination, which he then attempts to update and defend by providing numerous case studies of eureka moments in modern science and by seeking insights from comparative biography and psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and evolution.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
Issued in other formOnline version: Stamos, David N., 1957- author. Edgar Allan Poe, Eureka, and scientific imagination. Albany, NY : State University of New York Press, 2017 9781438463926
LCCN 2016031441
ISBN9781438463919 (hardcover ; alkaline paper)
ISBN143846391X (hardcover ; alkaline paper)
ISBN(e-book)

Available Items

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks PS2642 .S3 S73 2017 ✔ Available Place Hold