Abstract

The paper offers new hints for understanding the polemics between Goethe and Schopenhauer on the theory of colours. It will try to clarify the reason why Goethe showed little interest in Schopenhauer's views, analyzing both the scientific aspects of their discussion and the role played by Thomas Seebeck. It will show indeed that it was Seebeck, not Schopenhauer, who was providing to Goethe what he was looking for, i.e. the opportunity for his "Farbenlehre" to be recognized by the physical scientific community. On the contrary, Schopenhauer's demand for a new crusade against Newton in the name of a physiological theory of colours did not appeal to Goethe.