The Rudolf Steiner Archive

61. Is Theosophy at odds with science?

[ 1 ] Theosophical Lectures. On the second evening of the lecture series, Dr. Rudolf Steiner spoke in the Prinzensaal of Café Luitpold on the topic “Is Theosophy at Odds with Science?” He began by reviewing the origins and development of materialism and its gradual rejection by authorities in the natural sciences. Natural science, which operates with mathematical precision, separate from philosophy, and—as the speaker emphasized—has thus far had to operate in this manner in the interest of exact research, has, in its development, reached a new field of inquiry: the realm of the soul and the spirit. Redner now felt it necessary to address the problems of psychological insight in depth. Dr. Steiner then also referred to recent research on abnormal states of consciousness and the heightening of consciousness in somnambulistic states, as documented by recent hypnotological research, and emphasized that modern experimental psychology, too, had raised new problems. Science, he concluded, had been led back to philosophy—to the gateway of higher wisdom—by all the problems arising from its own development, and the union of religion, spiritual worldview, philosophy, and science—as modern theosophy also strives for—would be the great achievement of the twentieth century. Following the (open) lecture, a lengthy discussion ensued, particularly regarding the comparison Dr. Steiner had drawn between mystical and mathematical knowledge, as well as the position of Theosophy on medicine and “healing through prayer,” and—on social issues, during which the speaker skillfully sought to clarify misunderstandings and refute the objections raised. He was also able to report that a Theosophical Society is currently being formed at the local university, which is intended to promote the ideas of Theosophy among the students.