Ideas of Wolfgang von Goethe, by Theme

[German, 1749 - 1832, Author of 'Faust' etc. Lived in Weimar, and elsewhere.]

green numbers give full details    |    back to list of philosophers    |     expand these ideas
12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 5. Empiricism Critique
Many people imagine that to experience is to understand
13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 3. Subjectivism
Man never understands how anthropomorphic he is
16. Persons / C. Self-Awareness / 2. Knowing the Self
We gain self-knowledge through action, not thought - especially when doing our duty
21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 5. Natural Beauty
Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / d. Routes to happiness
The happiest people link the beginning and end of life
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State
The best form of government teaches us to govern ourselves
25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 1. Basis of Rights
To get duties from people without rights, you must pay them well