The Nietzsche Podcast 119: Erich Heller, The Disinherited Mind, pt 1 - Goethe, Schiller & The Symbol
Aug 5, 2025
Delve into the historical separation of reality and symbol in human thought, as art and science grapple with this divide. Explore the theological clash between Zwingli and Luther over the Eucharist, marking a significant cultural shift. Uncover Goethe's quest for unity in nature through his archetypal plant theory, critiquing Newtonian ideas. Finally, engage with the intricate themes of desire and tragedy in Goethe's 'Faust,' revealing the moral dilemmas faced by modern artists.
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Marburg Colloquy Marks Symbolic Shift
- The 1529 Marburg Colloquy reveals a pivotal shift in thinking about symbols and reality.
- It exemplifies the beginning of the modern separation between symbol and the real, impacting religion and art.
Enlightenment Divides Symbol and Reality
- The Enlightenment separated symbol and reality, enriching both art and science initially but resulting in an impoverishment of each.
- Reality became more 'real', but art lost its deep symbolic significance and poetry's universal truth.
Goethe's Urpflanze: Intuition Meets Science
- Goethe's Urpflanze concept bridges experience and universal form, suggesting intuition reveals deeper realities.
- His science was metaphysical, seeking unity of nature beyond mechanistic, mathematical explanations.
