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HUM 202: THE HIDDEN WISDOM OF GOETHE
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) had by any measure one of the most profound minds of all time. His friend, the poet Schiller, said of Goethe that "Nature has endowed him more generously than anyone since Shakespeare." Although Goethe is well known as one of the world's foremost poets and dramatists, his place in science, has been inadequately appreciated. Goethe developed the basic principles of morphology, the branch of biological science which deals with the form and structure of animals and plants. It was Goethe who is given credit for naming this science from the Greek word "morphe," meaning "form," and "logos," meaning "active principles of." While botanists and anatomists had been occupied in analysis, striving to distinguish separate parts, and give them distinct names, Goethe's poetic and philosophical mind urged him to seek the supreme synthesis, and reduce all diversities to a higher unity. His scientific research led to the discovery that all plants are variations of one primitive type, and that nearly all parts of a plant are variations or developments of the leaf. Goethe is to German culture as Shakespeare is to ours.
However, Goethe's approach to studying nature was not only "scientific", at least as how the term is normally understood. Goethe's methodology was a path of personal growth and transformation, one in with the "scientist" must learn to question himself, his assumptions, and learn to move beyond his limited conceptions. He or she must learn the process of opening up to what his or her own experiences reveal about the knowledge of the inner processes of nature. This involves a process of seeing the interconnectedness or how nature is a whole, of which we are a part.
The thrust of this course will be to become familiar with the life and philosophy of Goethe by reading his biography and selected aphorisms. Not only will the student gain a great understanding of the wisdom of Goethe, but will enhance spiritual self knowledge.
Questions and thoughts follow the course guide which requires written response. This course requires no prior learning but does require the ability to think clearly and in an unprejudiced manner. [Instructor: Andrew Flaxman]
Required Reading:
Maxims and Reflections, Johann Von Goethe
Goethe on Science, Johann Von Goethe
