Science v. Spirit

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Thus far, I don't feel as though enough has taken place in Faust for me to really have much of an opinion about it. Thus, I will expound upon a theme I have noticed and expect to continue. The Enlightenment was all about going against the grain, lessening the emphasis on religion, and seeking enlightenment through science and philosophy. Here we have the picture of enlightenment: Dr. Faust. He is well read and a scholar and knows seemingly everything. However, he is unfulfilled and contemplating suicide (before being visited by the spirits, of course). This is Goethe showing that science and knowledge can't be everything, something spiritual is missing.

PS I commented on Trey and Zelda's posts

Comments

  1. Will BradyOctober 23, 2017 at 10:20 PM

    I wonder if you can call his communion with spirits "scientific" though… I see where you're coming from, but there really is something cultish with the kind of sorcery Faust uses. It's not exactly religious, but it isn't enlightenment just through intellectualism, either.

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  2. Ethan LafontOctober 23, 2017 at 11:41 PM

    We are all yearning for something, a place of belonging. It's not possible to have that feeling by our own human logic and reasoning, showing holes in science and knowledge.

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  3. Phillip VoOctober 23, 2017 at 11:49 PM

    This is especially highlighted in his conversation with Wagner, when they discuss the value of the pursuit of Knowledge, as opposed to looking within your own heart and drawing energy from it (Faust's words not mine). I think that Goethe is using Faust as an opportunity to highlight the "blindness" of those who consider themselves scholars.

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  4. Nathanael C. CarrollOctober 23, 2017 at 11:52 PM

    Hmmm. Interesting thoughts, but Faust is still seeking enlightenment just in further study of another subject... I guess we will see.

    ReplyDelete

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