"Terry W. Colvin" wrote:
>
> > It is certainly true that Newton's hermetic interests led to one of the most
> > infuriating conundrums in science education --- the seven colours of the
> > rainbow. Most people can see six colours relatively easily, but find indigo and
> > violet almost impossible to differentiate --- and this is because they are.
> > Newton deduced that there should be seven colours because of the number's
> > hermetic significance, so he made sure there were. We've been saddled with his
> > assumption ever since.
>
> Another error in Newton's logic. He was indeed a bridge between the old
> and the new.
What we don't know is whether Newton was or was not one of those rare
people with four types of color cones in their retinas. If he was, this
could explain the seven color statement.
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