Workshop ‘Re-discovering Natural History'
Goethe’s morphological illustrations
Convened by Ernesto Ruiz-Eldredge Molina (Université de Poitiers, Goethe Universität, Frankfurt, Centre Marc Bloch, Berlin) & Isolda Mac Liam (Sussex University & Centre Marc Bloch, Berlin)
The term ‘natural history’ fell into disuse with the emergence of specialised scientific disciplines, such as biology and geology in the late nineteenth century. Notably, however, it was revived in twentieth-century German critical theory, where it served as a central conceptual tool. Thinkers within this tradition employed this concept as a means to overcome the conventional philosophical dichotomy between nature and history, and to explore the complex ways in which they are mutually constituted.
In light of the escalating social and ecological crises of the present, two opposing philosophical trends have emerged: one advocates a return to nature as a foundation for political renewal, while the other places confidence in technological progress as a driver of social transformation. The philosophical concept of natural history offers critical resources to transcend this binary opposition; however, it is employed only infrequently in the present day.
The hypothesis of this event is that this disinterest in the concept of natural history stems from three factors: its perceived conceptual opacity; an insufficient understanding of its genealogy; a corresponding lack of exploration of its wider function. Consequently, the objective of this conference is threefold: (1) to clarify the philosophical implications of the concept; (2) to trace its genealogy; and (3) to assess the scope and limits of its application. Specifically, our event asks whether this application can be broadened to encompass contemporary concerns, such as ecology, feminism, and globalisation. This expansion builds on the initial function of this concept as a bridge between the disciplines of history, psychoanalysis, and social theory. Seeking to revisit the notion of natural history in this way, this event thus inquires into its relevance for today’s political and theoretical challenges. Widening the geographical and philosophical breadth of this discussion, this conference features contributions from scholars originally based in the Global South, whose perspectives are crucial to probe the use of this concept beyond its European origins.
Particular emphasis will be placed on methodological issues concerning the way in which the Hegelian conceptual framework is modified to subtend a significant proportion of German critical theory, notably the inquiries this concept natural history permits. The possibility of publishing a volume of papers from the conference is currently under consideration.
1st Day: Monday 3.11.2025
9h40-10h00 Introduction to the conference
Session 1. Chair: Thomas Khurana (TBC)
10h00-10h45 Philipp Nolz (Université d’Arts Appliqués de Vienne).
10h45-11h30 Alexey Weißmüller (Université de Potsdam).
Session 2. Chair: Dirk Quadflieg
11h45-12h30 Darren Roso (Université de Melbourne).
12h30-13h15 Jessica Feely (Université Humboldt de Berlin).
Session 3. Chair: Agnès Grivaux
15h00-15h45 Isolda Mac Liam (Université de Sussex).
15h45-17h00 Morteza Samanpour (City University of London).
Conference 1. Chair: Alexey Weißmüller
17h30-19h00 Dirk Quadflieg (Université de Leipzig).
2nd Day: Tuesday 4.11.2025
Conference 2. Chair: Isolda Mac Liam
10:30-12:00 Agnès Grivaux (Université de Nantes).
Session 3. Chair: Philipp Nolz
14h00-14h45 Isabel Sickenberger (Université de Potsdam).
14h45-15h30 Ricardo Crissiuma (UFRGS-Université de Potsdam).
15h30-16h15 Ernesto Ruiz-Eldredge Molina (Université de Poitiers-Université Goethe de Francfort).
Final conference. Chair: Jessica Feely
16h30-18h00 Thomas Khurana (TBC) (Université de Potsdam).
