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Literature and Natural Science (according to Goethe)
Literatur und Naturwissenschaft (gemäss Goethe)
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:15:45
Abstract
Literature and natural science, as different as they seem, touch each other in many ways. In the seminar, we will explore these contacts using Goethe as an example, who for his part wrote scientific studies, linking empiricism and speculation. At the same time, he also reflected on these subjects in literary form, e.g. in the novel "Die Wahlverwandtschaften".
Objective
- General methodological aspects of determining the relationship between literature and natural science - Reading and analysis of Goethe's scientific writings - Historical contextualisation of Goethe's scientific studies around 1800 - Knowledge-poetological connection between Goethe's scientific and his literary work
Content
At first glance, literature and the natural sciences seem conceivably far apart: on the one hand, fiction, figurative language, narrative methods for describing imaginary worlds, on the other, exact scientific methods for describing the physical world. On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that the two intersect in many ways. These intersections can be discussed using the most important author of the German language to date as an example: Goethe. It is remarkable that Goethe himself also conducted diverse scientific studies in the fields of geology, physics, colour theory and botany and wrote major works on these subjects that are still discussed today. In doing so, he intertwined empiricism with speculation and thus arrived at his own concept of nature, which already combines scientific and literary methods. At the same time, Goethe also dealt with these scientific subjects in literary form, both in poems and in dramas (such as „Faust") and novels (such as „Wahlverwandtschaften").
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Literatur und Naturwissenschaft (gemäss Goethe) |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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