歌德属于终生严肃从事自然研究的极少数德国作家之一。他的研究和涉猎领域广泛,研究的时间长达半个多世纪且著述丰富。他对自然的深入探索,不仅是为认识自然的奥秘,更是为了理解人自身的发展。他的自然研究活动及成果对其人生观世界观的形成产生了根本性的影响。作为自然研究家的歌德与以谢林和黑格尔为代表的、以哲学为职业的德国自然哲学家不同,两者之间最重要的差别在于歌德不采用德国自然哲学推崇的思辨方法。歌德实际上代表了现实主义的哲学倾向:人作为现实者处于现实世界,他拥有足以使他认识和区分现实性与可能性的官能;健康的人都应坚信其自身的存在和周围的存在。 Goethe belongs to one of the very few German writers who have engaged in natural studies for life. His research and extensive field of study, research for more than half a century and the rich writings. His in-depth exploration of nature is not only to understand the mysteries of nature, but also to understand people’s own development. His natural research activities and achievements have had a fundamental impact on the formation of his outlook on life. Goethe, as a naturalist, differs from the German philosopher whose profession is philosophy, represented by Schelling and Hegel. The most important difference between the two is that Goethe does not adopt the speculative method that is respected by German natural philosophy. Goethe actually represents the philosophical tendency of realism: as a real person, a person is in the real world. He possesses enough functions to make him recognize and distinguish reality and possibility. Healthy people should firmly believe in their own existence and surroundings.