In human chemistry, Astrida Orle Tantillo (c. 1963-) is an American Germanic studies professor, science philosopher, and eighteenth-century literature theorist noted for her articles, books, invited talks, and conference participation on the analysis of the science and philosophy of the works of German polymath Johann Goethe, particularly his 1809 novella Elective Affinities. [1] The following opening quote from Tantillo’s 2001 book Goethe’s Elective Affinities and the Critics elaborates on her view:

“From the time of its publication to today, Goethe’s novel Elective Affinities has aroused a storm of interpretive confusion. Readers have fiercely debated the role of the chemical theory of elective affinities presented in the novel. Some argue that it suggests a philosophy rooted in fate. Other maintain it is about free choice. Others still believe that that the chemical theory is merely a structural device that allows the author to foreshadow events in the novel and bears no relevance to the greater issues in the novel.”

In her 2001 book, Tantillo gives an exhaustive account of nearly every opinion, critique, fan, or detractor of Goethe’s Affinities over the last two-hundred years, including the chemical theory views of those such as German science historian Jeremy Adler, among others. [2]

In her 2002 book The Will to Create: Goethe’s Philosophy of Nature, Tantillo centers again on the philosophical implications of Goethe’s Affinities, but with specific focus on four aspects of Goethe’s philosophy: (a) polarity, (b) intensification, (c) compensation and finality, and (d) competition, reproduction, and gender. [3]

Education
Tantillo completed her BA in European History and German in 1985 at the University of Oregon, and MA (1990) and PhD (1994), both on social thought, at the University of Chicago. [4] In circa 1995, Tantillo became a professor of Germanic studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and is currently head of department.

References
1. (a) Tantillo, Astrida O. (2002). “Goethe’s Evolutionary Thinking”, in Goethe, Chaos, and Complexity. Ed. Herbert Rowland (Amsterdam: Editions Rodopi), pgs. 47-56.
(b) Tantillo, Astrida O. (2005). “Goethe’s ‘Classical’ Science”, in Weimar Classicism. Ed. Simon Richter. History of German Literature Series. Rochester: Camden House, pgs. 323-45.
(c) See also: curriculum vitae.
2. Tantillo, Astrida O. (2001). Goethe’s Elective Affinities and the Critics. Camden House.
3. Tantillo, Astrida O. (2001). The Will to Create: Goethe’s Philosophy of Nature. University of Pittsburgh Press.
4. Astrida Tantillo (curriculum vitae) – University of Illinois, Chicago.

External links
● Astrida Orle Tantillo (Head of Germanic Studies) – UIC Department of Germanic Studies.