Publication Date
January 2019
Publisher
Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter
Language
English
Type
Book Chapter
Book Title
Science in Color – Visualizing Achromatic Knowledge
Editor
Bettina Bock von Wülfingen
Pages
163–180
Additional Information
Abstract
Color makes its way into natural science images as early as the research process. It serves for self-reflection and for communication within the scientific community. However, color does not follow a standard in the natural sciences: its meaning is contingent, even though culturally conditioned. Digital publishing enhances the use of color in scientific publications; at the same time, globalization promotes the idea of universal color symbolism.
This book investigates the function of color in historical and current visualizations for scientific purposes, its epistemic role as a tool, and its long neglect due to symbolic and gender-specific connotations. The publication thus helps to bridge a long standing research gap in the natural sciences and the humanities.