Faustian Phenomena: Goethe on Plants, Animals, and Modern Biologists

Faustian Phenomena: Goethe on Plants, Animals, and Modern Biologists

Audio recording of a lecture given by tutor John Cornell on October 28, 2022 as part of the Dean's Lecture & Concert Series. The Dean's Office has provided this description of the event: "Goethe’s character Faust – based on the medieval legend about a man who makes a pact with the Devil -- is an archetype of the Western soul. Dissatisfied with life, Faust pursues the most intense adventures while remaining blind to the destruction he leaves in his path. But Goethe understood Faustian striving not just as a human affair but as characteristic of all living things. The theme runs through his extensive scientific writings, in particular, his accounts of the metamorphosis of plants and of the evolution of animals, including man. This talk will consider some of the poet-naturalist’s essays and the light they throw upon modern methods in biology."

Santa Fe, NM

2022-10-28

Meem Library has been given permission to make this item available online.

sound

mp3

English

SF_CornellJ_Faustian_Phenomena_2022-10-28

m4a

00:52:14