Strange Science: Investigating the Limits of Knowledge in the Victorian AgeThe essays in Strange Science examine marginal, fringe, and unconventional forms of scientific inquiry, as well as their cultural representations, in the Victorian period. Although now relegated to the category of the pseudoscientific, fields like mesmerism and psychical research captured the imagination of the Victorian public. Conversely, many branches of science now viewed as uncontroversial, such as physics and botany, were often associated with unorthodox methods of inquiry. Whether ultimately incorporated into mainstream scientific thought or categorized by 21st century historians as pseudo- or even anti-scientific, these sciences generated conversation, enthusiasm, and controversy within Victorian society. To date, scholarship addressing Victorian pseudoscience tends to focus either on a particular popular science within its social context or on how mainstream scientific practice distinguished itself from more contested forms. Strange Science takes a different approach by placing a range of sciences in conversation with one another and examining the similar unconventional methods of inquiry adopted by both now-established scientific fields and their marginalized counterparts during the Victorian period. In doing so, Strange Science reveals the degree to which scientific discourse of this period was radically speculative, frequently attempting to challenge or extend the apparent boundaries of the natural world. This interdisciplinary collection will appeal to scholars in the fields of Victorian literature, cultural studies, the history of the body, and the history of science. |
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appeared argues atomic authority become belief Bell Besant body botany British Bulwer called Cambridge century claims collection continued critics cultural deaf describes Dorian early effects elements empirical energy essay established evidence example experience explores fact fiction figures followed Forbes Galton ghost Henry History human Ibid idea imagination influence interest James John Journal knowledge language later laws limits literary literature Living London material matter mechanical mesmerism mind moral Mystery narrative natural natural theology nineteenth nineteenth-century North notes novel object observation orchid organic Oxford Phantasms physical physiological plants popular possible practice principle produced psychical published readers reading refer scientific scientists seems sensation sense Society sounds species speculative Speech spiritual Stewart story strange suggests Tait term theory thinking thought tion University Press Unseen Universe Victorian Visible Woman in White writing York