The Rudolf Steiner Archive

108. Anthroposophical Spiritual Science: Its Nature and Goals in Relation to the Social Challenges of the Present

[ 1 ] On Friday evening, before a modest audience in the “Falken” hall, Dr. R. Steiner, the leader of the movement, spoke on the topic “Anthroposophical Spiritual Science: Its Nature and Its Relationship to the Social Tasks of the Present.” A representative from Lucerne of the “Swiss Federation for the Threefold Social Order” welcomed the speaker, offered introductory remarks, and subsequently expressed gratitude for the lecture. We do not have the space here to summarize the content of the lecture, which itself was merely a brief outline of the system of spiritual science set forth in extensive literature. This was likely why the speaker’s remarks did not result in a clear formula that could concisely and comprehensibly capture both the essence and the application of the subject. We wish to highlight only a few points. The content of the lecture could be summarized as the intimate pursuit of knowledge about the human being and its practical application. This Dornach movement is not mere daydreaming or sectarianism; rather, it is precisely the intimate insights and experiences of anthroposophy that are intended to enable people to intervene in a new and fruitful way in the social chaos. Its method requires great patience and diligence, but leads to remarkable results that extend into all disciplines. Redner refers here to his courses for medical professionals and teachers, as well as to the successes of the Waldorf School near Stuttgart. The primary focus is on developing a sense of reality for practical life through an inner grasp of the spiritual nature of matter itself. A more active rather than passive life! In other words, no thoughts hostile to life, but rather those that are to be carried directly into life. Redner then draws further conclusions from this in the political and social spheres, which are to find their practical application in the work of the aforementioned Swiss Federation.

[ 2 ] The lecture, which made a somewhat compelling impression thanks to the speaker’s evident inner conviction and the warmth with which he expressed his ideas, was met with lively appreciation from the audience. The same was true of the speaker’s spirited closing remarks, delivered after the ensuing discussion, the tenor of which emphasized mutual rapprochement and a deeply rooted commitment to charity—a message particularly relevant to our times.