Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos
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 Goeth...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/3/355 |
| _version_ | 1797239455039356928 |
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| author | Seth P. Hart |
| author_facet | Seth P. Hart |
| author_sort | Seth P. Hart |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 <i>Urphänomen</i> 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:51:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7f86201aadf640268b1656c35982f6e3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:51:48Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-7f86201aadf640268b1656c35982f6e32024-03-27T14:02:19ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-03-0115335510.3390/rel15030355Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the CosmosSeth P. Hart0Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UKWhile 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 <i>Urphänomen</i> 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/3/355GoethePlatonismscienceromanticismnatural philosophynature |
| spellingShingle | Seth P. Hart Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos Religions Goethe Platonism science romanticism natural philosophy nature |
| title | Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos |
| title_full | Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos |
| title_fullStr | Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos |
| title_full_unstemmed | Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos |
| title_short | Goethe’s Platonic Natural Philosophy: How Goethean Science Provides an Alternative Conception of the Cosmos |
| title_sort | goethe s platonic natural philosophy how goethean science provides an alternative conception of the cosmos |
| topic | Goethe Platonism science romanticism natural philosophy nature |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/3/355 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sethphart goethesplatonicnaturalphilosophyhowgoetheanscienceprovidesanalternativeconceptionofthecosmos |