Goethe’s Growing Goal

5 Commentsby   |  02.21.11  |  Pre-Renaissance (Part I)

Exploration into the life and philosophy of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe really stuck a chord with me. Dipping into the fields of literature, science and philosophy, Goethe was a true intellect of the Romantic period. Famously quoted as saying “Nothing is worse than active ignorance”, Goethe’s personal philosophy centered on the importance of continuous aspiration for personal growth. I strongly agree with his belief that life should be lived with a passion for advancement and that that inspiration for advancement can be derived from most any aspect of life. Goethe saw humans as being at war with the conflicts and stresses of life as he believed that all life was consisted of opposing forces; love and hate, good and evil, life and death. The way he saw it, however, the goal of life should be to instead embrace these opposing forces, rather than try to overcome them. To accept the existence of both positive and negative aspects of life, I believe, allows life to become a more understandable and explainable experience. To accept the fact that life is made up of both highs and lows and to embrace the inspiration and opportunity for advancement that those times can bring instead of taking the existence of those forces for granted. Goethe’s ideas reminds me of a passage of the Bible that I take very close to heart and in many ways try to live by. Ephesians 5:15-16 reads “Be very careful how you live—not as unwise, but as wise making the most of every opportunity.” Even when the “opportunity” presented to you is not necessarily one you would even consider an opportunity, I have found it very helpful to see how I may manage to make the most of it; to search for the bright side, realize where I can learn a lesson, or discover how I can strengthen myself. I believe that this is the kind of continuous aspiration for personal growth Goethe was striving for.

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5 Comments

  1. Natalie Fleet
    8:13 pm, 02.21.11

    I interpreted Goethe’s view accepting the conflicting forces within humanity a little differently. I don’t believe that we, at least at Christians, should accept the dark forces but believe that we, through God’s mercy, can overcome these forces. I believe through faith, God can give us the ability to overcome, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the on who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” 1 John 5:5.

  2. LeeAnn Green
    9:01 pm, 02.21.11

    I really like Goethe’s idea of embracing the positive and negative. Everyone has good times and bad times in their life and I think when you realize that there will be both you can live a better and fuller life. We must remember that life is not always going to be wonderful, but it’s not always going to be horrible either.

  3. Terry Osborne
    9:20 pm, 02.21.11

    I enjoyed your thoughts! I agree with the notion that we must continue to grow as a person. I feel that when we stop continuous growth we become self-rightheous and think that we have it all figured out. Yes, life has its ups and downs but that is how we grow. Love your thoughts!

  4. Candice Watson
    10:23 pm, 02.21.11

    This strikes a chord with me as well. I think that when you aren’t striving to move forward in personal growth, you unintentionally regress as a result of stagnation and carelessness. I too wish to make the most of every opportunity, whether it is one of ease and happiness or one of struggle and challenge. Thank you for your words and interpretation of Goethe’s philosophy.

  5. Jacob Luedecke
    10:49 pm, 02.21.11

    I love the quote used about ignorance. This says volumes about our society today. As humans we should constantly strive for personal growth and not become stagnant pond scum in the great sea of life. We should inherently seek out the best for our lives and, in turn, make the world around us a better place.

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