Goethe's Platonic Natural Philosophy
How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3207869 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Seth P Hart (0009-0005-2771-6564, Durham University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 355 |
| Publication date | 2024-03-17 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/rel15030355 |
| OpenAlex | W4392919025 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 13 |
While popularly known for his works of literature and poetry, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe viewed his lesser-known scientific pieces as his most enduring achievement. I will argue that Goethe's unique scientific methodology is informed by a metaphysical commitment to a form of Platonism and that Goethe provides an intriguing alternative paradigm that unifies science, philosophy, theology, and ethics. I begin by demonstrating how Goethe's concept of the Urphänomen offers a Platonic conception of natural beings. I then briefly outline how this alternative scientific approach ultimately derives from his Platonic commitments. Next, I demonstrate the ethical and spiritual implications of Goethean science, establishing that Goethe's approach bridges the divide between our scientific endeavors and spiritual formation. There is, then, a continued relevance for Goethe in conversations regarding ecological ethics and our perception of nature
Art · Art history · Epistemology · Geography · Natural Philosophy · Natural science · Physics · Jungian Analytical Psychology · Philosophy · Scientific and Historical Analyses
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |