Préface à la traduction de Helmholtz : « Du rapport des sciences de la nature à l’ensemble de la science »

The present Preface succinctly describes the socio-political and cultural context characteristic of the famous speech Helmholtz delivered on November 22, 1862. In this speech, the scholar developed his idea of the university and described the mutual relationships between academic disciplines. Helmholtz also drew attention of his audience to the ideal of a multidisciplinary approach within the university—something that has remained the object of debates until most recent times—and outlined ways how to reconcile philosophy and science.