The Rudolf Steiner Archive

111. The Significance of Anthroposophy in Contemporary Science and Life

[ 1 ] I regard Dr. Rudolf Steiner as an idealist, as a person in whom an unwavering idealism becomes a code of ethics. At a time when, despite all the rhetoric to the contrary, materialism is poisoning broad segments of the population, it is refreshing to hear a man like Rudolf Steiner speak in a lecture hall—a personality who defends his life philosophy with sacred fanaticism. Although Steiner opposes Count Hermann Keyserling, his philosophy of life nevertheless draws its strength from the same primordial source. Ancient Indian wisdom is the mother of both systems. The difference is that Steiner comes across as more unadulterated and down-to-earth than Keyserling, who lives within certain intellectual traditions. And yet, at times, the lack of self-control in Steiner’s determination to convince can be off-putting. Then the subtle inner vibrations suddenly lose their hold on him, and the heightened volume of the speaker’s voice takes center stage. His power of persuasion suffers from this display of vocal techniques. Nevertheless, with the first part of his lecture on the significance of anthroposophy, Steiner made a deep impression on the audience, who filled the large hall of the Philharmonie to capacity on Thursday evening. This was due less to the novelty of his ideas—most were already familiar with them—than to the devoted manner in which he championed his life’s work. After a brief historical introduction, he developed his programmatic statements. He recognizes Goethe as his predecessor, particularly in Goethe’s striving to recognize the divine spirit in everything that presents itself to the senses. But Steiner’s anthroposophy goes beyond Goethe’s worldview and seeks to build upon it. We cannot penetrate the innermost essence of the human being—the content of the soul’s life—through reason and pure natural science alone. Yet natural science is not rejected; it becomes a welcome collaborator when it unites with spiritual science. Anthroposophy must engage neither in fanciful natural philosophy nor in the mysticism of occultism. By awakening the valuable forces of soul life, its path leads through a higher level of thinking. Meditation and introspection become the means to raise the supersensible world and the unconscious into consciousness and to awaken a higher self. Overcoming materialistic bondage by transcending the physical body leads to an understanding of the connections between the human inner world and the outer world—the beginning of ethical liberation. One gradually lives one’s way into the astral body. Here begins speculation, which is intertwined with ethics. The preexistence of the soul is briefly touched upon. But one feels, with a certain sense of awkwardness—regardless of one’s stance on this issue—that a lecture with a limited time frame is not suitable for addressing the pros and cons of these questions. – Steiner concludes his remarks with the practical implications of his ideas. He touches on influences on sociology, his “Threefold Social Order,” and the joint-stock company “Der Kommende Tag,” founded last year in southern Germany according to Steiner’s principles. Unfortunately, this is done only in telegraphic style, so that only the initiated can follow. – What Steiner presented during the two-hour lecture was an overview of his worldview and life’s work. It lacked a clear focus. He covered too much to delve deeply into every topic, which was essentially what the lecture’s premise required. But anyone familiar with the tireless creative energy of this sixty-year-old and the seriousness with which he devotes himself to his apostolic mission will overlook the weaknesses of this lecture evening, even if they cannot always agree with the teachings of this significant man.