Novalis's idea of "Experimentalphilosophie" : a study of Romantic science in its context
This thesis seeks to examine Novalis's philosophy of practical knowledge and to position it within the context of the work of other Romantic natural philosophers and some aspects of contemporary science. His views on Ritter's galvanism and the latter's significance for his thought in general are treated here for the first time in full. Contrary to most previous views, it is argued that a major part of Novalis's outlook stems from his concept of practical knowledge and his reflection over the term ~experiment~, which proves to be an extremely complex and central idea in his thought. It is shown how this philosophy of his finds most explicit expression in the idea of a symbolic notation or a ~phenomenal~ calculus. These notions merge in Novalis's idea of productive ~Plastisirung~. Particular attention is paid to the symbolic use of phosphorus in the pneumatic debate and Ritter's galvanic interpretation of the nerve. Beyond contemporary science, it is further shown how broad an historical base Novalis channels into his notion of practical knowledge. This should lead to a clearer understanding of Novalis's position within Romantic natural philosophy, his debt to tradition, and his originality. In the light of
Henderson, Fergus Roy
German Literature
Novalis's idea of "Experimentalphilosophie" : a study of Romantic science in its context. This thesis seeks to examine Novalis's philosophy of practical knowledge and to position it within the context of the work of other Romantic natural philosophers and some aspects of contemporary science. His views on Ritter's galvanism and the latter's significance for his thought in general are treated here for the first time in full. Contrary to most previous views, it is argued that a major part of Novalis's outlook stems from his concept of practical knowledge and his reflection over the term ~experiment~, which proves to be an extremely complex and central idea in his thought. It is shown how this philosophy of his finds most explicit expression in the idea of a symbolic notation or a ~phenomenal~ calculus. These notions merge in Novalis's idea of productive ~Plastisirung~. Particular attention is paid to the symbolic use of phosphorus in the pneumatic debate and Ritter's galvanic interpretation of the nerve. Beyond contemporary science, it is further shown how broad an historical base Novalis channels into his notion of practical knowledge. This should lead to a clearer understanding of Novalis's position within Romantic natural philosophy, his debt to tradition, and his originality. In the light of
idea study romantic science context seek_examine philosophy practical knowledge position_within context work romantic natural philosopher aspect contemporary science view latter significance think general treat first_time full contrary previous view argue major_part outlook stem concept practical knowledge reflection term experiment prove extremely complex central idea thought show philosophy find explicit expression idea symbolic notation phenomenal calculus notion merge idea productive particular_attention_pay symbolic use debate interpretation nerve beyond contemporary science show broad_historical base channel notion practical knowledge lead clearer position_within romantic natural_philosophy debt tradition originality light