A history of science presented by the seventh art

Abstract

We propose in this work an analysis of the film Einstein and Eddington, which can be treated as a work of scientific dissemination. The film Einstein and Eddington shows the relationship between the German scientist Albert Einstein and the English scientist Arthur Eddington in the period of the First World War, in which Eddington collaborates to prove the Theory of Relativity General of Albert Einstein, during the solar eclipse of 1919. The narrative presents the environment of political tension between Germany and England, centralized from Eddington and Einstein's scientific expectations in establishing a new theory of gravitation, without concerns about the socio-political situation that is ongoing in the continent. Boaventura de Sousa Santos, proposing a critical sociology of science, starts from the principle that contemporary science should be analyzed from a socio-economic-political point of view in this context, the criteria of scientific validity and the competence of the scientist are replaced by their political loyalty. The film can be worked with students of various levels, seeking to demystify the cumulative and dogmatic character of scientific knowledge, as is usually passed in much of the formal education process in the country.