The Rest Is History 234. Germans Behaving Badly
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Sep 15, 2022 Award-winning historian Andrea Wulf, author of 'Magnificent Rebels', dives into the lives of late 18th-century German Romantic thinkers like Goethe and Schiller. She uncovers how their progressive ideas shaped our modern self-obsession and individualism. Explore the vibrant intellectual scene in Jena and how it fostered creativity, as well as the philosophical tensions that influenced romantic relationships. Wulf also connects these historical insights to today's societal challenges, revealing the lasting impact of Enlightenment thinkers on contemporary thought.
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Goethe's Mid-Life Transition
- Goethe, post-Werther fame, struggled with writer's block and focused on scientific pursuits.
- He became privy councillor, managing mines and theaters.
Goethe and Schiller's Dynamic Duo
- Goethe and Schiller, despite contrasting personalities and work styles, formed a fruitful literary friendship.
- This collaboration revitalized Goethe's creativity and led to his most productive phase, including writing Faust.
Fichte's Electrifying Presence
- Fichte, known as the "Bonaparte of philosophy", revolutionized thought by emphasizing self-determination.
- His lectures, delivered with riding boots and a whip, attracted students from across Europe.
