Is Darkness Really the Opposite of Light?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around the philosophical and scientific inquiry into whether darkness is the true opposite of light. Participants express varying interpretations, with some suggesting that the concept of "opposite" is context-dependent, while others argue that light does not have a definitive opposite. The conversation highlights the complexity of defining light, particularly when considering its properties as an electromagnetic wave versus its use as an adjective. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards the idea that darkness is often perceived as the opposite of light, but this notion is challenged by deeper scientific considerations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic waves and their properties
  • Familiarity with philosophical concepts of opposites
  • Basic knowledge of light as both a physical phenomenon and a descriptive term
  • Awareness of historical perspectives on light, such as those from Goethe
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the properties of electromagnetic waves in detail
  • Research philosophical discussions on the nature of opposites
  • Investigate the historical context of light studies, particularly Goethe's contributions
  • Examine the scientific implications of light and darkness in physics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for philosophers, physicists, and anyone interested in the conceptual and scientific exploration of light and its perceived opposites.

What's the opposite of light?

  • Darkness

    Votes: 20 62.5%

  • Heavy

    Votes: 3 9.4%

  • Light is its own antiparticle.

    Votes: 6 18.8%

  • Fang!

    Votes: 3 9.4%
  • Total voters
    32
Char. Limit
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When I ask "what's the opposite of light", what's the first answer that comes to your mind?
 
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The obvious answers is "it depends how you define light to begin with".

If we're talking about the weight of an object I won't be thinking of darkness.

Off the top of my head, I'd say 'Darkness'. Purely because it's on my mind more than weight.
 
I thought, "The opposite of an electromagnetic wave...whaaaa :confused:?" Seriously.
 
the opposite of light is light of a pi/2 phase shift.
 
The first thing that came to mind was "not light". Then it tried to narrow things down, but hit a snag and had to reboot.
 
Last edited:
The question doesn't make sense to me unles you take "light" as an adjective. So the only two answers it could be is dark or heavy.

I don't think you can have an opposite of an object?
 
middlj said:
The question doesn't make sense to me unles you take "light" as an adjective. So the only two answers it could be is dark or heavy.

I don't think you can have an opposite of an object?

in my mind "opposite" means the sum of two things add to zero.

So my definition is correct :biggrin:
 
stasis
 
Call me shallow, darkness was the first word that came to mind.
 
  • #10
pergradus said:
in my mind "opposite" means the sum of two things add to zero.

So my definition is correct :biggrin:

touché
 
  • #11
I guess I'm in a sciency state of mind since I didn't understand the answer "heavy" until I thought about it.
 
  • #12
A black hole... :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
Dark is the first thing that came to mind, followed by criticism and skepticism that light has an opposite in the first place.
 
  • #14
ds^2 \ne 0

Damn it, read the stupid poll wrong.
 
Last edited:
  • #15
In my house I can turn on the lights with the flicks of some switches and I can turn on the darks with the opposite flicks of the same switches.

(All experiments on light must be done in the dark.Was it that geezer Goethe who said that?)
 
  • #16
Dadface said:
(All experiments on light must be done in the dark.Was it that geezer Goethe who said that?)

:smile:

More than likely.

I'd add I read that last part with a hard East London accent!
 
  • #17
Pythagorean said:
criticism and skepticism that light has an opposite in the first place.

It doesn't - that was my point
 
  • #18
The spaghetti monster is light, so the opposite of light is the great fork of evil

Muaghhhhh!
 

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