Peter Watson, The German Genius: Europe's Third Renaissance, the Second Scientific Revolution, and the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Before Hitler, Nobel Prize ceremonies were in large part a German affair. For over a century Germany led the world through its scientific, educational and cultural achievements. The German Genius reminds English-speaking readers that the world we live in today in so many ways is a creation of German technology and culture. While, on a purely geopolitical level, the Germans failed to become dominant they succeeded in virtually every other sphere.

From intentions to action: An integrative review of action control theory and research

“…It was not a coincidence that this happened in Germany. The German version of the Enlightenment had since the 18 th century promoted the value of 'Innerlichkeit' or 'inwardness' in art and philosophy, a cultural stance that idealized the person's reflecting on and cultivating their inner experiences (Watson, 2010). This inwardness is highly compatible with the introspective nature of psychology.…”

Microaggressions, cancel culture, safe spaces, and academic freedom: A private property rights argumentation

“…The decentralized nature of numerous small universities intensifies competition. Germany had very good experiences with its decentralized university system in the 19th century and the competition that goes with it (Watson, 2011). However, while small, specialized universities will likely be more widespread in a private law society, there would also be a place for large pluralistic universities.…”

Higher Education Leadership in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

“…The New Education, as described by Charles Eliot (President of Harvard at the time), details a dramatic shift in the education paradigm, and universities across the world adopted the German model of postgraduate research (Hawkins, 1964). As a result, dozens of research-focused universities started to appear in the United States, and this model is still influential to how universities are operated today (Watson, 2010). The second half of the 19 th century, a time period commonly associated with the Second Industrial Revolution, saw the emergence of electrically driven manufacturing technologies, leading to what was known at the time as a "new economy".…”