Abstract

Among the peculiarities of Portmann’s biological philosophy is its contradictory reception. Though it was intended to reform a traditional biological discipline, morphology, in academic biology itself this original doctrine had surprisingly little impact. Instead, Portmann’s theoretical biology remains a focus of interest for philosophical disciplines like phenomenology and aesthetics and enjoys the attention of lay readers as well. Based on this internal tension, this chapter reflects on the theoretical status of a field that was ignored as a scientific reform but is still studied as an unacknowledged philosophy. Through discussion of the central concepts of “form” and “authentic phenomenon,” it demonstrates that these categories do not have a straightforwardly empirically objective, “scientific” character but, rather, require an approach more akin to philosophy. Portmann, however, did not want to address the philosophical aspects of his morphology as a philosopher and styled his project in a manner more empirical than its true character called for, which to a certain degree complicated the reception and influence of his original biological thought.