From Kant to Goethe: Georg Simmel on the way to Leben

Simmel's continuing relevance derives from his penetrating diagnosis of the condition of modernity as well as from his position within Lebensphilosophie. The latter is attracting renewed interest in the context of debates around the 'new vitalism'. This essay aims to evidence the source of Simmel's concept of Leben in his interpretation of Goethe's life and work. First extensively developed in Simmel's essay on 'Kant und Goethe', the concept of Leben provided the structuring and dynamic thrust in his interpretations of modern life. To provider a fuller view of some of the issues involved in Simmel's transition from a neo-Kantian to a Goethean position, Goethe's critical reading of Kant, which adumbrates Simmel's concerns, is also considered. A brief reference to 'Goethean science' brings the argument to a close, and hopefully up to date. (Author abstract)