Around minute 18-21 Dr. Francesca makes some very useful comments about Goethe and Islam

Comparing Goethe’s and Hegel’s views on Islam: A thematic approach

Published in Academia.edu

Introduction

Studying the understanding of Islam from figures like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1 (1749-1832) or Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel 2 (1770-1831) carries a twofold interest: on a historical aspect, it can provide valuable in- sights on the origin of Western theories – or prejudices – on the Muslim world, while on a philosophical aspect, it can provide cues for re-elaborating their thought in order to open new roads. Goethe and Hegel are not only relevant for discussing the development of German culture in the 19 th century and be- yond, but are also key figures in the identity of Western modernity at large 3 . When discussing how the West shaped its view of Islam, especially in the 18 th -19 th century, the classical critical work is Said’s Orientalism 4 . He- gel is completely absent in it, while Goethe is only briefly mentioned – and dismissed – as one of the many Western writers who used the Orient as an inspiration for their art, producing a «protective Orientalized Orient» 5 , which instead of a real place is «a form of release, a place of original opportunity» 6 .

Key takeaways from her paper

1. Goethe and Hegel’s views on Islam reveal historical prejudices and philosophical insights of 18th-19th century Western thought.
2. The text compares their definitions of Islam, with Hegel focusing on social aspects and Goethe emphasizing religious identity.
3. Hegel’s eurocentrism depicts Islam as a lesser form of Judaism, while Goethe values its cultural and spiritual significance.
4. Goethe’s direct engagement with the Quran contrasts with Hegel’s reliance on secondary Orientalist sources.
5. Both thinkers represent distinct approaches to understanding Islam, impacting contemporary discourse on East-West relations.

Additional suggested reading for the Muslim Heritage in the European Enlightenment:

How Islam Taught Medieval Christian Europe Religious and Political Tolerance

Muhammad: The Light for the Dark Ages of Europe!

How Europe Came to Forget its Arabic Heritage

January 2010 eGazette – Europe’s debt to the Muslim Empire?