Goethe's way of science: a phenomenology of nature (Google eBook)

David Seamon, Arthur Zajonc

SUNY Press, 1998 - Philosophy - 324 pages

Though best known for his superlative poetry and plays, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) also produced a sizable body of scientific work that focused on such diverse topics as plants, color, clouds, weather, and geology. Goethe's way of science is highly unusual because it seeks to draw together the intuitive awareness of art with the rigorous observation and thinking of science. Written by major scholars and practitioners of Goethean science today, this book considers the philosophical foundations of Goethe's approach and applies the method to the real world of nature, including studies of plants, animals, and the movement of water.

Part I discusses the philosophical foundations of the approach and clarifies its epistemology and methodology; Part II applies the method to the real world of nature; and Part III examines the future of Goethean science and emphasizes its great value for better understanding and caring for the natural environment.

Contents

• Goethe and the Science of His Time An Historical Introduction: 15
• The Metamorphosis of the Scientist: 33
• Goethean Science: 55
• Goethe Science and Sensory Experience: 71
• The Idea in Nature Rereading Goethes Organics: 83
• Transformations in the Foliage Leaves of Higher Plants: 115
• The Unity of Science and Art Goethean Phenomenology as a New Ecological Discipline: 129
• HornsHoovesSpots and Stripes Form and Pattern in Mammals: 177
• Seeing The Animal Whole The Example of the Horse and Lion: 213
• Flowforms and the Language of Water: 233
• The Resurrection of Thinking and the Redemption of Faust Goethes New Scientific Attitude: 255
• Counterfeit and Authentic Wholes Finding a Means for Dwelling in Nature: 277
• Light and Cognition Goethean Studies as a Science of the Future: 299
• Contributors: 315
• Index: 319

About the author

Seamon is Professor of Architecture at Kansas State University.

Arthur Zajonc is Professor of Physics at Amherst College and a fellow of both the Lindisfarne Association and the Fetzer Institute.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Goethe's way of science: a phenomenology of nature; Suny Series in the Environmental and Architectural Phenomenology
• Editors: David Seamon, Arthur Zajonc
• Contributors: David Seamon, Arthur Zajonc
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: SUNY Press, 1998
• ISBN: 1438419309, 9781438419305
• Length: 324 pages
• Subjects: Nature / General; Philosophy / Movements / Phenomenology; Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects