The Rudolf Steiner Archive

27. Overcoming Materialism from a New Perspective

[ 1 ] In a lecture that Dr. Rudolf Steiner from Berlin delivered here on September 13, he spoke about the so-called Theosophical Movement, which seeks to realize the noblest ideals of modern humanity by establishing a brotherhood that cultivates, at its core, an understanding of the highest goods of life and the spiritual worlds. “Overcoming Materialism from a New Perspective” was the topic. And the content of the speech offered a glimpse into higher worlds—worlds that people are unwilling to hear about only as long as they do not know that one can ascend to these worlds in just as scientific and unbiased a manner as an astronomer does, for example, when studying the worlds of the stars. What was discussed here was a worldview capable of satisfying all who sincerely seek the truth—from the simplest, most uneducated person to the most conscientious scholar. And it is not something arbitrary that is to be imposed on people here, but rather something for which countless people are striving today, something they long for amid the deep conflict that is becoming increasingly apparent between faith and science. True peace of mind and certain comfort of the heart are granted to humanity through these things, which appear to be mere fantasy and speculation only until one has delved deeply enough into them. The truth about what is immortal and divine in human nature must indeed be regarded as eternal; yet every age requires a specific proclamation. Modern science, to which we owe our great achievements, has in many ways turned us into doubters and unbelievers; theosophy dispels all doubts because it is both science and religion. That is why, in the thirty years since this movement began, it has spread across nearly all civilized countries of the world.

[ 2 ] The speaker drew on simple, universally understandable concepts and showed that one need not stand in doubt before the greatest mysteries of existence, but that there is knowledge of that which lies beyond the sensory world. We are dealing here with a movement that is capable of truly contributing to the ennoblement and elevation of human existence, and which will be misunderstood and shunned only as long as people have not yet engaged with it sufficiently.

[ 3 ] Article in the “National-Zeitung”, September 20, 1905

[ 4 ] Overcoming Materialism from a Modern Perspective. Last Wednesday, Mr. Rudolf Steiner from Berlin gave a lecture on this topic at the Rebleutenzunft, in which he described the tasks and goals of the Theosophical Movement, which has been spreading across nearly all civilized nations of the world for the past 30 years.

[ 5 ] The speaker began with a description of the inner struggles that modern man faces when, in his sincere search for truth about the highest goods of life and the spirit, he is confronted with the conflict between religion and science. Theosophy unites those who wish to bring about a true reconciliation of these opposites. There is a knowledge of the spiritual foundations of the world and of humanity, of the divine causes and the eternal goal of the soul, and by attaining this knowledge, a person achieves inner peace and a truly harmonious way of life. One can, in the fullest sense of the word, stand on the ground of modern science and, through what is here called Theosophy, arrive at satisfying conceptions of the immortal part of human nature. Truth is eternal, but every age requires a particular way of approaching this truth. Theosophy is the quest for truth that corresponds to our time. The Theosophist does not proclaim his teachings as a new dogma, but rather in the recognition that truth is present in every human soul, that the divine spark merely needs to be brought forth in order to have an enlightening and revelatory effect. Those who wish to unite in such an unbiased manner find in the Theosophical Movement a brotherhood of humanity that, built upon universal love for humanity, grounds humanity in knowledge. Whatever religion or worldview one may otherwise adhere to, in this movement one can come together for the most impartial search for truth. The speaker shared some insights from the theosophical treasure trove of wisdom regarding the higher worlds, and the audience could see that within the aspirations he described, they truly find what every person today yearns for when their gaze reaches beyond the mundane and the transitory.