Homologiebegriff und pathologische Anatomie

Summary

• 1. According to J.W. Goethe, morphology is a theory of evolution, H. Braus defined it as a theory of historic incidents, and according to D. Starck morphology is the rule of shapes of the organisms.

• 2. The term homology was coined by morphologic researchers. Of course, it is used nowadays also in mathematics, chemistry, and linguistics and other logic matters.

• 3. Homologies have a special position in Goethe's work on the theory of types. Goethe's morphologic research and Schiller's aesthetic speculations are considered to be the origin of a ‘typologic point of view.’

• 4. Coherences of Platon's theory of ideas and Goethe's theory of types are scrutinized. The theory of shapes (‘Gestalt theory’) is inconceivable without Platon's theory, and scientic morphology is inconceivable without shapes, either, and according to C. v. Ehrenfels “Gestaltphilosophie” could not exist without the shapes of Platon's theory.

• 5. It is shown that without Gestalt philosophy one cannot comprehend the following coherences: Gestalt (shape) as an idea, idea as a type of Goethe's rule, type as an element of the theory of homologies and even of constitution.

• 6. Homology will be constituted using certain criterions:

• a) detection of an equal descent,

• b) equal position of organismic structures in individuals,

• c) evidence of interpositions, and

• d) certain qualities of parts which are compared with each other. Homologous structures may be dissimilar in their architecture.

• 7. The term homology is explained

• a). by giving an analysis of morphologic and teratologic lines,

• b). by scrutinizing forms of symmetry, and

• c). by presenting the histopathology of topographical diverse but according to the morphogenetic mode coinciding tumours which are resembling each other in their microscopic patterns.

• 8. The application of the rule of homology in the morphologic investigation of deseases proves to be

• a. valuable from a heuristic point of view,

• b. an instrument of communication to characterize comparable matters,

• c. a means of classification, and

• d. a basic requirement to uncover inconceivable correlations of morphologic patterns in the first instance and then a basis for the prognosis of findings which may be expected in the future.

  So far the didactic value of proven homologies is inestimably great.

• 9. The application of the rules of homology in morbild anatomy requires controls by ‘regulatives.’ These are:

• a all facts must be born in mind,

• b the rules of the mathematical logic, those of demonstrative and plausible conclusions need to be taken into consideration, and

• c the criterions of Ehrenfels should be applied accurately.

• 10. At the contact surface of two scientific fields special difficulties may emerge. As far as contemporary pathology is concerned, elements of the Arts should be assimilated. This challenge is by no means a novel one. Covered traces of it could be found in our archive 50 years ago. We should not forget but keep in mind these elements.