Astronomy Prof. Trinh Thuan's work dealing with the relationship between light and philosophy has won him international recognition.
The French Academy in Paris honored Thuan with the Grand Prix Moron award, an award comparable to the Nobel Prize, for his seventh book "The Ways of Light: Physics and Metaphysics of Light and Darkness," Thuan said.
According to a University press release, Thuan's book was published by a French publisher earlier this year and is expected to be published in English at some point.
As an award that generally signifies outstanding achievements in philosophy, the Grand Prix Moron is given to an individual who in some way revolutionizes French literature, according to Astronomy Prof. John Hawley. Hawley pointed out that Thuan has been popular in the French literary mainstream during the majority of his time at the University.
Thuan said though the book deals with scientific topics, his overall analysis touches on other areas, such as philosophy and religion. He added that he attempted to write a book that would appeal to a general audience. The 750-page book discusses light and its philosophical, religious and astronomical contexts.
According to Thuan, the Bible states that "God is light" and represents the antithesis of the darkness of ignorance in the Buddhist religion. He added that light, however, is also expressed artistically and emotionally in the context of society.
"I always write with the view of talking about the implications of how you change your perspective of the world," Thuan said. "Light has an enormity of implications not only in scientific areas."
Hawley attributed Thuan's international success to his versatility in fields.
"He's an example of a U.Va. scholar with an international reputation for his contributions in astronomy with the ethics of religion," Hawley said.
Thuan said he will be rewarded for his effort at a special meeting of the French Academy Nov. 29 in Paris. The award will include a 5,000-euro cash prize.
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