A Whiteheadian Take on Subjectivity and Philosophical Conceptualization in Goethe's 'Prometheus' and 'Ganymed'. (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muenzer, Clark S.
• Is Part Of: Publications of the English Goethe Society. Volume 91:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Alfred North Whitehead -- Gilles Deleuze -- philosophical concept -- the virtual -- subjectivity; German literature -- 18th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; German literature -- 19th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; 830.9006
• DOI: 10.1080/09593683.2022.2027733
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3683

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Guided by the process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and the transcendental materialism of Gilles Deleuze, this reading of Goethe's 'Prometheus' and 'Ganymed' constructs the hymns' defining polarity with reference to the 'subjective aims' of their 'conceptual personae'. While each mythological figure is driven by a primordial 'feeling' along its separate path of 'satisfaction', the sum of their grasping moves, or physical and mental 'prehensions', constitutes a field of conceptualization that is post-theological and protophilosophical. The problematic Promethean 'I', according to this interpretive framing, undergoes a transformative reconfiguration in 'Ganymed' through the strategic deployment of the lexemes fassen and fangen, so that its counterpart in subject formation ultimately becomes a Whiteheadian 'superject'.