71
DOI: 10.1201/9780429440939-7
6
A New Science from
a Historical Figure
Goethe as Holistic Scientist
Isis Brook
Crossfields Institute
INTRODUCTION
It might seem odd, in a book about the cutting edge of agroecology, to look back to a historical
figure. However, it is worth indulging this narrative because Goethe’s scientific work sowed the
seeds that may now be brought to fruition. In radically rethinking agriculture, we are rethinking our
relationship with nature and with the world, and there are early indications of a holistic approach in
Goethe’s work that could guide us here. As an early objector to the mechanistic and dualistic direction that science was taking, he lived through a fulcrum period in Western history and created a different path, one that we could have followed and may still yet. To build a historical bridge between
Goethe and the current discussion, I will also discuss Rudolf Steiner’s research into Goethe and the
example of Barbara McClintock’s scientific work with maize.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s dates are 1749–1832, which place him chronologically at the watershed between the study of what was then called natural history and the new science of biology. His
scientific approach countered both vitalism 1 and mechanistic ways of seeing the world which dominated
the science of his time ( Steiner, 1985: 92). Although most famous for his literary work, he believed his
scientific endeavours were the most important ( Seamon and Zajonc, 1998: 1), and there are many complete historical accounts of these contributions ( e.g. Nisbet, 1972). The purpose here is not to repeat them
but to contextualise key elements of his approach so that we can see why he might be relevant today.
Goethe’s scientific work covers the areas of geology, meteorology, osteology and botany and the
study of colour. He was also an early exponent of the history of science as a discipline in itself ( Fink,
1991: 70). Working across a wide range of subjects seems strange to our ever-more specialised contemporary approach to science. Why would someone hop from one realm to another and risk being
labelled a dilettante? Even in the late eighteenth century, this would have seemed to be spreading
1 Vitalism has different versions, both ancient and modern, but in Goethe’s time, it was characterised by belief that organic
entities were infused by a mystical/ imperceptible life force or spirit. It gained popularity and adherents as a bulwark
against purely mechanistic views.
CONTENTS
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 71
The Rejection of Over-Reliance on Theory ..................................................................................... 72
All in Flux: Time and a Sense of Mobility ...................................................................................... 73
The Role of the Human Being ......................................................................................................... 74
Goethe, Steiner and Biodynamic Agriculture .................................................................................. 75
Barbara McClintock’s Understanding of Organisms ....................................................................... 76
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 78
References ........................................................................................................................................ 78
DOI: 10.1201/9780429440939-7
6
A New Science from
a Historical Figure
Goethe as Holistic Scientist
Isis Brook
Crossfields Institute
INTRODUCTION
It might seem odd, in a book about the cutting edge of agroecology, to look back to a historical
figure. However, it is worth indulging this narrative because Goethe’s scientific work sowed the
seeds that may now be brought to fruition. In radically rethinking agriculture, we are rethinking our
relationship with nature and with the world, and there are early indications of a holistic approach in
Goethe’s work that could guide us here. As an early objector to the mechanistic and dualistic direction that science was taking, he lived through a fulcrum period in Western history and created a different path, one that we could have followed and may still yet. To build a historical bridge between
Goethe and the current discussion, I will also discuss Rudolf Steiner’s research into Goethe and the
example of Barbara McClintock’s scientific work with maize.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s dates are 1749–1832, which place him chronologically at the watershed between the study of what was then called natural history and the new science of biology. His
scientific approach countered both vitalism 1 and mechanistic ways of seeing the world which dominated
the science of his time ( Steiner, 1985: 92). Although most famous for his literary work, he believed his
scientific endeavours were the most important ( Seamon and Zajonc, 1998: 1), and there are many complete historical accounts of these contributions ( e.g. Nisbet, 1972). The purpose here is not to repeat them
but to contextualise key elements of his approach so that we can see why he might be relevant today.
Goethe’s scientific work covers the areas of geology, meteorology, osteology and botany and the
study of colour. He was also an early exponent of the history of science as a discipline in itself ( Fink,
1991: 70). Working across a wide range of subjects seems strange to our ever-more specialised contemporary approach to science. Why would someone hop from one realm to another and risk being
labelled a dilettante? Even in the late eighteenth century, this would have seemed to be spreading
1 Vitalism has different versions, both ancient and modern, but in Goethe’s time, it was characterised by belief that organic
entities were infused by a mystical/ imperceptible life force or spirit. It gained popularity and adherents as a bulwark
against purely mechanistic views.
CONTENTS
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 71
The Rejection of Over-Reliance on Theory ..................................................................................... 72
All in Flux: Time and a Sense of Mobility ...................................................................................... 73
The Role of the Human Being ......................................................................................................... 74
Goethe, Steiner and Biodynamic Agriculture .................................................................................. 75
Barbara McClintock’s Understanding of Organisms ....................................................................... 76
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 78
References ........................................................................................................................................ 78