Keith Robertson Dissertation

THE EVALUATION OF GOETHEAN SCIENCE AS A METHODOLOGY FOR THE

INVESTIGATION OF MEDICINAL PLANT PROPERTIES WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO HAWTHORN [CRATAEGUS SPECIES]

Sunrise over a Hawthorn Hedge K. Robertson 2002

Author: Keith Robertson B.Sc. M.NIMH Dissertation Submitted in partial fulfilment of Master's of Science Degree in Herbal Medicine.

January 21st 2003

Scottish School of Herbal Medicine 6 Harmony Row, Glasgow. Validating University: The University of Wales, Cardiff.

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to my teachers in Goethean science over the years. In particular, Margaret Colquhoun but also Jochen Bockenmuhl and all the people who have joined me in the training and on plant study days. Thanks to the team at SSHM; Maureen, Alan, Karen, Martha and Rachel who made the venture possible. Thanks to Angie for the bulk of the typing. Special thanks to David St George and Christopher Hedley for intellectual sparring and general inspiration.

Particular thanks are due to my wonderfully supportive family for putting up with me; and also the other MSc students and tutors for a very special time of study.

Post Submisssion Comments Well I passed the MSc. This thesis caused a bit of a stir with the examiners. As I understand it second hand, the debate came down to whether to reward originality or penalise lack of academic rigor. The eventual mark came down nearer the latter. All I can say is mea culpa, I have marked in red where my opinions are not supported by references and in green where it was felt that the text was not strictly relevant to the argument. In the end it was felt that with the attempt at originality I was aiming more at PhD level and that I'd probably be more comfortable writing a book.

I am sure it will amuse/horrify any student whose work I have marked with.....ref?... to know that it happened to me. Although part of me would have liked the higher mark for originality I have to stand by the mark for lack of rigor. In the end though, I have to say that what I aimed at was more academic vigour and remain reasonably shameless, I hope you will enjoy reading the result.

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Master's Dissertation

Abstract

Modern pharmacological research has recently tended to move research in Herbal Medicine away from more traditional methods. Goethean science has been proposed as an alternative method of research. This paper is concerned, therefore, with a review of the Goethean methodology; checking for internal coherence and external validation. It discusses problems associated with non-ordinary or new approaches to research. To focus the study, the medicinal herb, Hawthorn, was chosen for investigation. The question posed is ? `can Goethean science answer some questions about the therapeutic indices of Hawthorn?' The study includes a review of the literature on Goethean science and on Hawthorn, reviewing the latter's folklore, historical and traditional use, plus discussion on its pharmacological and clinical research. Included is a discussion on the underpinnings of the Goethean philosophy and a description and critique of the methodology, including an interview with a leading Goethean scientist. Results from a Goethean plant study on hawthorn are included with photographic and artistic renditions of the plant. The general conclusion is that, while not without some problems in its application, Goethean science is certainly an interesting method and worthy of serious consideration. The possibilities contained in the methodology are very relevant for future research in Herbal Medicine.

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Notes on referencing: For dates in the text `99 is taken to read 1999. All other dates are given in full eg. 2003. For older texts, the date of the first edition is included in the text for clarity eg. (Goethe '86, 1st ed 1787).

Table of Contents

Title Page Acknowledgements Abstract Table of Contents List of figs. and coloured plates

1 2

3 4 5

Section 1 Introduction

1.1 Goethe the Scientist

6

1.2 Introduction to Goethean Methodology

7

Section 2 Review and Analysis of previous research in the area

2.1 Key Reading

10

2.2 Key Ideas

12

2.3 Hawthorn explored

a. Hawthorn the Herb

13

b. Mythology and Folklore

15

c. History of Use

19

d. Modern Medical Indications

22

e. Hawthorn's Pharmacology

24

f. Summary

31

Section 3 The Investigation and its Results

3.1 Goethean Science Methodology explained

33

3.2 Results of Plant Study

36

3.3 Artistic Renditions of the Hawthorn

40

Section 4 Analysis

4.1 Paradigm Shift

67

4.2 Interview with Margaret Colquhoun PhD

68

Section 5 Discussion

5.1 Discussion on the Underpinnings of Goethean Science

77

5.2 Discussion on an Overview of Goethean Science

87

5.3 Discussion on Hawthorn and the Heart

91

4

Section 6 Conclusion

94

Section 7 References

101

Appendix A

105

5

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