Quick Look
Comprehensive survey of Emerson's lifelong interest in science, particularly Goethean science.
Description
Emerson’s lifelong interest in science is well documented in his journals, lectures, essays, letters and poems. He was especially interested in Goethean science, which both heavily influenced his monisticism and in turn kept him at arms length from Swedenborg’s mysticism and pseudo-sciences of his day such as phrenology, palmistry and astrology.
Emerson maintained a spiritually-oriented worldview whilst still believing in the progress of science. Obuchowski shows how the Goethean context helps to explain what he calls Emerson’s 'scientific mysticism' or 'spiritual science'.
Reviews
'A welcome and timely addition to the debate concerning Emerson and the contemporary relevance of his ideas. Dr Obuchowski's book, written in clear and accessible language, is a tonic for those interested in the gradual rise to the surface of Goethean science.'
-- William Bishop, New View, Summer 2006
'A fascinating book for those interested in the evolution of Goethean science. An original contribution to Emerson scholarship.'
-- David Lorimer, Scientific & Medical Network Review, Spring 2006
Author
Peter A. Obuchowski is Professor Emeritus at Central Michigan University, where he taught for thirty years in the Department of English Language and Literature.
Links
Also available on Goethe:
Goethe on Science: An Anthology of Goethe's Scientific Writings edited by Jeremy Naydler
The Wholeness of Nature: Goethe's Way of Science by Henri Bortoft
Goethe and Palladio: Goethe's study of the relationship between art and nature, leading through architecture to the discovery of the metamorphosis of plants by David Lowe and Simon Sharp
