Abstract

Based on the knowledge about ›reciprocity‹ as presented in the article »Wechselwirkung« in the Historical Dictionary of Philosophy (vol. 12, 334– 341) this text tries to widen the view on further applications of the concept. Early sources can be found in Classical Latin when the use is bound to and based on the observation of the tide. A more recent use can be found in Modern Physics. Especially since Einstein’s Theory of relativity and related works of Max Born reciprocity has playedand it still does play an important role as scientific concept. It can be found in Chemistry, Biology and Pharmacology, as well. Moreover, it also has a career inhumanities, in law as well as in Philosophy, Philology, Literature and even in younger subjects like Cultural Ecology. One can suppose that the reason for the wide range of applications lies in its versatility as well as its precision.