Submitted by Tom Last on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 10:11am.
I am working on the Chapter 3 video and came up with this list of questions answered in Chapter 3.
3-1 How does the observation of thought compare to the observation of other things? 3-2 How does thought compare to feeling? 3-3 How does thinking compare to our thinking personality? 3-4 How does the observation of thought compare to the observation of present thinking? 3-5 How does knowing our thought compare to knowing other things? 3-6 How does a thought process compare to brain activity? 3-7 How certain are we of our thoughts compared to other things? 3-8 How does thinking about thought compare to thinking about other things? 3-9 How does the creation of thought compare to creating other things? 3-10 How does unconscious thought influence the observation of thought compared to its influence when we observe other things? 3-11 How does the study of thought compare to the study of consciousness? 3-12 How can I be certain whether my thought is right or wrong?
Submitted by Tom Last on Tue, 07/06/2010 - 8:43am.
Rudolf Steiner sews together a variety of views in The Philosophy of Freedom. I want to produce a new video series that goes through the book that would be good enough to be recommended by a lot of people. I have looked at crude animation and other forms of presentation.
Steiner collected the views of others. Most the views in POF are probably on an online video somewhere. These videos could be found and fit together with commentary to produce a new version of POF, a POF movie. It wouldn't be of value for thought-training but it could convey the ideas in POF which would clear up a lot of misrepresentations about anthroposophy. Any ideas?
Submitted by Tom Last on Thu, 06/03/2010 - 4:19pm.
Please point out any errors or post suggestions in this summary of Steiner's epistemology. I don't know how I can condense this to a 10 minute YouTube video, but we will see.
Submitted by Tom Last on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 9:51pm.
The quote below seems to express something that if it was understood would make the Philosophy of Freedom very popular. This book is written in a special way so that the study of it is very effective in developing pure thinking (sense-free thinking). After time it "comes to pass" that your ability to intuitively perceive the truth in a daily life situation is greatly enhanced. You are able to act in the moment when needed or perhaps after some later short reflection.
I now saw that the finding of the spirit within the sense-world is not a question of logical inferences or of projection of sense perception, but something that comes to pass when man continues his evolution from perception to the experience of sense-free thinking. Story of My Life10. by Rudolf Steiner
Someone not usually conscious of subtle changes in intuitive depth may not be aware of improving capacities, so that new readers may not notice that this ability has improved and would likely not, at first, give credit to their book study.
One way to tell is if you are working hard with a difficult sentence in the book and you are able to achieve a deeper understanding, then it is very likely the results of your effort of deepening your intuitive abilities will also carry over into your normal everyday life.
Tom Last
Submitted by Tom Last on Fri, 04/16/2010 - 9:13am.
I am working on 3 things that I think need to be done; the new translation, searching the internet for a story each day for the front page about POF, and producing a new video series on POF. The videos would consist of a summary and then chapter videos.
Below is a popular video on the Libertarian view. I like the style and clear objective presentation. It is a flash video with lots of movement. I can't do flash so I am trying to find something that I can do. I would like to start with a short summary of POF. The 10 minute video series would include a summary and 14 chapter videos. A good job on the summary video could gather 1 million views if it is recommended by others.
Submitted by Tom Last on Sun, 03/07/2010 - 11:31am.
Here are some short title suggestions. A new title for Chapter 7 is an interesting challenge because the chapter examines what we consider to be real or not real.
New Title Suggestions
1. Conscious Human Action
2. The Desire For Scientific Knowledge
3. Thought As The Basis For Understanding The World
4. The World As Perception
5. Cognizing The World
6. Human Individuality
7. Are there Limits To Cognition?
Submitted by Tom Last on Sun, 02/28/2010 - 1:15pm.
This is a revised chapter 1 for the Study Course for reading on the web. It is a different project from the hard copy version, but the extra thought will improve both. The only 1918 Steiner revision kept was in the opening sentence, adding 'natural laws'. It was edited to simpler American English and for the web reader with more paragraph breaks.
I am finding out that the 1918 revisions are turning out to have been long time stumbling blocks to reading comprehension. This must be because you usually need a belief in theosophy for them to make sense, like adding 'spiritual' freedom to the opening sentence. What is that supposed to be? I will do chapter 2 next.
Submitted by Tom Last on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 11:26am.
Joel comments: Talking about PoF will never replace trying to live it in Life. What I'd like to see here is more reports of what people are actually experiencing in Life, and less commentary on translations and meanings of the terms. Maybe you can improve the map, and if that is the point of this website, then fine. I'm more interested in helping people meet the dilemmas of actual Life - their biography, than I am in discussing the meaning of words.
We have the start of a very successful translation collaboration, but this will interest only a handful of people. The translation project is a full time job for myself. I have been wondering how the website could get involved in something else. Joel's recommendation of sharing life experience would be of interest to many. Maybe Joel or someone else wants to lead a study group or research project?
A study group or research project could move through the book with an emphasis on applying what is read. Perhaps it could be about trying to verify Steiner's soul observations, which could be listed and discussed. The results could be archived in a way that would help others in their application of the book. Then the website is engaged in understanding theory and life application.
Submitted by Tom Last on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 10:59pm.
Toddlers have come forward to fund the POF website and work. They have offered cash in exchange for snacks and play. "This home business will allow me to work at home and give me the time to philosophize," Tom said today while changing a diaper. "I have always believed in the younger generation and thought they were the generation that could embrace The Philosophy of Freedom, so it seems appropriate that they would be the ones to keep things afloat." Tom plans to provide care for up to 6 toddlers and preschoolers.
Submitted by Tom Last on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 8:47pm.
Translation process
First Draft: Tom's draft mainly focused on meaning written for clarity.
Second Draft: John's draft is mainly to work out the phrasing but will also look at meaning. After others have a chance to comment this draft will go to John as the basis for his draft.
Please add any comments to this draft to improve meaning or phrasing.
The quote below seems to express something that if it was understood would make the Philosophy of Freedom very popular. This book is written in a special way so that the study of it is very effective in developing pure thinking (sense-free thinking). After time it "comes to pass" that your ability to intuitively perceive the truth in a daily life situation is greatly enhanced. You are able to act in the moment when needed or perhaps after some later short reflection. 
