Goethe on Science: A Selection of Goethe's Writings [Paperback]

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (Author), Jeremy Naydler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997 | ISBN-10: 0863152376 | ISBN-13: 978-0863152375

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is most famous for his work on color theory, but he was also an accomplished all-round scientist, studying and writing on anatomy, geology, botany, zoology and meteorology. This book draws together, in Goethe's own words, his key ideas on nature, science and scientific method. Goethe believed that we should study our world and nature as people at home in it, rather than removedly, as if we were aliens from another planet. He adopted a qualitative approach to science at odds with Newton's quantitative methods that were so popular in his day. His is a sensitive science which does not ignore our relationship to nature. The extracts in this book are fascinating and essential reading for anyone who feels that we've lost our spiritual connection to nature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeremy Naydler is a philosopher and cultural historian who lives in Oxford. He is the author of Temple of the Cosmos: Ancient Egyptian Experience of the Sacred and The Reality That Is Not There: Reflections on Non-locational Space. Henri Bortoft has taught physics and the philosophy of science for most of his career. He now lectures and gives seminars on Goethean science as well as the development of modern scientific consciousness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: Floris Books (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863152376
• ISBN-13: 978-0863152375
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,182,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful little book on Goethean science, August 7, 2000

By 

Frank Bierbrauer (Cardiff, Wales, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Goethe on Science: A Selection of Goethe's Writings (Paperback)

A wonderful little book maybe to accompany the far more developed one by Henri Bortoft, "The Wholeness of Nature". It takes many excerpts from Goethe's approach to science and includes some of his major essays in the area. If you want a starter in this subject buy it if you want real understanding in depth get Bortoft's book.

The book considers many aspects such plant metamorphosis, colour theory, the concept of the archetype and even some of Goethe's own thoughts on the philosophy of science. There are even pieces which I've seen nowhere else such as the eras of science, merely pointed out but not elaborated upon. In this way the book grabs your attention and doesn't let go, it was my second introduction after Bortoft's having been recommended by him and it is well worth it.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful little book on Goethean science, August 7, 2000

By 

Frank Bierbrauer (Cardiff, Wales, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Goethe on Science: A Selection of Goethe's Writings (Paperback)

A wonderful little book maybe to accompany the far more developed one by Henri Bortoft, "The Wholeness of Nature". It takes many excerpts from Goethe's approach to science and includes some of his major essays in the area. If you want a starter in this subject buy it if you want real understanding in depth get Bortoft's book.

The book considers many aspects such plant metamorphosis, colour theory, the concept of the archetype and even some of Goethe's own thoughts on the philosophy of science. There are even pieces which I've seen nowhere else such as the eras of science, merely pointed out but not elaborated upon. In this way the book grabs your attention and doesn't let go, it was my second introduction after Bortoft's having been recommended by him and it is well worth it.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good approach to Goethe's works, February 1, 2010

By 

Jesăs Alberto Gămez (Europe) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Goethe on Science: A Selection of Goethe's Writings (Paperback)

Today there is a urgent need to revise Science. Goethe's writings on Science give us a useful basis to start this renovation.