Alphonse Boua

Goethe Philosopher ? Alphonse Boua

To think of Goethe as a philosophical resource, moreover at the heart of German idealism, is certainly not self-evident when one knows that he stigmatized the metaphysical drifts of this current that was taking off in his time. And yet, far from any system, the poet led, in his works, a properly philosophical approach that reveals the original philosopher that he was in essence. As a philosopher, Goethe's reflections focused on the concepts of nature and humanity. The latter, although comprehensive, is expressed in his triad of religion - art - action. However, Goethe's fanciful way of translating his thoughts did not earn him any real recognition in the field of philosophy. This work offers the keys to understanding that, although a poet, Goethe made a remarkable contribution to the enrichment of modern philosophy, which earns him a place in the circle of modern philosophers despite his radical distrust of philosophy itself. Keywords: poetry, Naturphilosophie, humanity, religion, art, action