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These
beautifully translated selections comprise the most comprehensive
collection
of Goethe’s scientific writings in the English language.
They include the most essential of Goethe’s writings on his
method as well as a broad spectrum of his wide-ranging work. Anyone
who wishes to understand and appreciate Goethe’s contribution
to science will want to study this book.
Contents
Introduction
I. Methodology
Nature [A Fragment]
A Commentary on the Aphoristic Essay “Nature” (Goethe to Chancellor von Müller)
A Study Based on Spinoza
The Experiment as Mediator between Object and Subject
Fortunate Encounter
The Extent to Which the Idea “Beauty Is Perfection in Combination with Freedom” May be Applied to Living Organisms
Empirical Observation and Science
Symbolism
The Influence of Modern Philosophy
Judgment through Intuitive Perception
Doubt and Resignation
The Formative Impulse
A Friendly Greeting
Significant Help Given by an Ingenious Turn of Phrase
A General Observation
Problems
Ernst Stiedenroth: A Psychology in Clarification of Phenomena from the Soul (Part 1)
Natural Philosophy
Analysis and Synthesis
II. Morphology
Toward a General Comparative Theory
Observation on Morphology in General
The Enterprise Justified
The Purpose Set Forth
The Content Prefaced
III. Botany
Excerpt from “Studies for a Physiology of Plants”
The Metamorphosis of Plants
An Unreasonable Demand
Leaf and Root
Remarkable Healing of a Severely Damaged Tree
Bignonia radicans
Excerpt from “The Spiral Tendency in Vegetation”
IV. Zoology
An Intermaxillary Bone Is Present in the Upper Jaw of Man As Well As in Animals
Excerpt from “Tibia and Fibula”
V. Geology
On Granite
Suggestions for a Comparative Approach Reconciling the Plutonists and Neptunists on the Question of the Origin of Basalt
A More Intense Chemical Activity in Primordial Matter
My Relationship to Science, and to Geology in Particular [Outline for an Autobiographical Sketch]
VI. Meteorology
Luke Howard to Goethe: a Biographical Sketch
Excerpt from “Toward a Theory of Weather” 1825
Colors in the Sky
VII. Physics
Polarity
Theory of Color: Didactic Section
Dedication
Preface
Introduction
Part One: Physiological Colors
Pathological Colors: A Supplement
Part Two: Physical Colors
Part Three: Chemical Colors
Part Four: General Observations on the Principles of Color
Part Five: Relationship to Other Fields
Part Six: Sensory-Moral Effect of Color
Concluding Observation
Theory of Tone [A Schematic Fragment]
VIII. Selections from Maxims and Reflections
Chronology of Goethe’s Scientific Studies
Note on the Translation
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