Rudolf Steiner's

    Path For Our Age



Steiner's Path of Freedom
How will we attain the “new” thinking and “empowered” community activism required to understand and transform the various spiritual, ecological, social, and political crisis confronting us today? Rudolf Steiner presented an answer over 100 years ago. To this day it is little known. Even if you have heard about Rudolf Steiner he is usually depicted as an occult mystic of some sort. Actually, his education was in mathematics, science, and philosophy that provided him with a training in scientific thinking; especially mathematics, which opened the door for him to what he later called "pure thinking", essential to his freedom philosophy. He applied this scientific training to do introspective research into understanding the human being. What he learned, which he explained using philosophical names, is described in The Philosophy of Freedom, "some results of introspective observation following the methods of natural science."

Rudolf Steiner began a revolution in 1894 with his book The Philosophy of Freedom. This revolution did not need volumes of books to tell us what to believe or what to do. That is up to us. Part I lays out a philosophy of science based upon "individualistic" truth (see the original introduction [0]), Part II describes a nonconformist philosophy of life based upon ethical individualism expressed through ethical intuition, ethical imagination, and ethical technique.

“It is no longer enough merely to believe, we want to know.” RS original preface to Philosophy of Freedom

“In someone tormented by doubts, the powers are weakened. Baffled by a world full of riddles, people cannot find an aim for their creative powers.” RS original preface to Philosophy of Freedom


Philosophy of Freedom Period
1879-1899 Steiner's Path To Freedom (age 18-39)
Undergraduate studies at the Vienna Institute of Technology; Doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Rostock, Germany; concluding with the Publication of The Philosophy of Freedom. The book was written in a way to challenge the reader to think. Unfortunately, the challenge exceeded the effort of the readers.

Incomprehensible!…. Baffles the experts!….. You’ll never finish it!….. It’s a tangle of thought!…. These are Rudolf Steiner’s comments on the disappointing experience of readers when he first published The Philosophy of Freedom in 1894.

Biographer Gary Lachman describes that time: "Steiner seems to have enjoyed hobnobbing with the bohemians; his acquaintances included poets, playwrights, novelists and political activists. In fact, his reputation among the demi-monde caused academics to cancel their subscriptions, and Steiner also earned the distinction of having a periodical banned in Czarist Russia, because its editor was known to socialize with anarchists."

In 1897, he bought the literary journal Magazin für Literatur, where he hoped to find a readership sympathetic to his philosophy. His work in the magazine was not well received by its readership, including the alienation of subscribers following Steiner's unpopular support of liberal Émile Zola and anarchist writer John Henry Mackay.

He made this comment in his Magazin für Literatur about theosophists and spiritualists: "It also proves advantageous to the theosophists that they are able to stay on good terms with the spiritualists and other off-beat, like-minded seekers of the spirit. Oh, sure, they [the theosophists] contend that these spiritualists treat the phenomena of the spirit world as external; whereas, they themselves [the theosophists] seek to experience such phenomena as strictly within as well as totally spiritual. But they are not above walking hand in hand with the spiritualists when they deem such an alliance to help them wage war on the unfettered science, the straightforward science of the modern era, which is solely supported by reason and observation." Rudolf Steiner

With the public failure of his book and now the magazine, Steiner turned to the only people who seemed interested in hearing him —the theosophists. His rejection by the scientific community pushed him to the opposite polarity found in the spiritualist community. Before this he showed little interest in theosophy. It may have been that in the 1890's the Philosophy of Freedom was ahead of its time. His writing style was confusing to scientists and philosophers while being too dry and difficult for spiritualists.

Steiner had been willing to speak to any group, but after 1899 he started to give talks regularly to the members of the Theosophical Society. Theosophy and Esotericism was in vogue in Germany and Austria during that time. The public was entranced by his lectures on his clairvoyant perceptions of the spiritual world.

Theosophy/Anthroposophy Period
1900-1925 Public Lectures On His Clairvoyant Perceptions of the Spiritual World (age 40-61)
This consists mainly of books and lectures of his clairvoyant perceptions of the spiritual world (40 books, over 6000 lectures). It wasn't until 1900 that Steiner decided to "go public" with his ongoing stream of experiences that he claimed were of the spiritual world. After converting to theosophy Steiner quickly became head of the German Section of the Theosophical Society in 1902 and estranged himself from the other groups. The German Section grew rapidly under Steiner's leadership.

Steiner didn't undergo some form of mystic training so he could become clairvoyant —he was born clairvoyant. His aim was to apply his scientific training to these unusual experiences to try and sort out truth from fantasy. The Philosophy of Freedom contains nothing of these clairvoyant perceptions.

"History cannot show one pioneer who is worth the digesting of absolutely everything. Isaac Newton won't be remembered for his speculations about the Apocalypse of St. John. Steiner is not interesting because of his faults, but because of his project: To create a bridge between insights that until now have been reserved for religion and faith, and modern scientific reason. He wanted to rescue the individual and its humanness from drowning in foggy spiritualism as well as in stiffened materialism." Peter Normann Waage

Applied Anthroposophy
Renewal of the World
Steiner's research produced fundamental holistic principles on how to advance education, farming, medicine, art, spiritualism etc. For example, theosophy has been advanced through the Anthroposophical Society, Waldorf schools are a renewal of education, and Biodynamic farming is a renewal of agriculture. Rather than being accepted on faith, the acceptance and application of the principles given by Steiner is properly done with the same scientific standards appropriate for any other theory.

In ethical individualism, The Philosophy Of Freedom presents a way to integrate scientific knowledge with ethical freedom by means of pure conceptual reasoning and then, by means of imagination, to translate this intuitive insight into practical action to transform the world. With a foundation in The Philosophy Of Freedom, Steiner's ideas can be objectively examined, and then imaginatively applied to specific fields to bring renewal.

Other Paths Given By Steiner
In The Boundaries of Natural Science VIII [0] Steiner explains how The Philosophy of Freedom is the modern "path into the spiritual world that conforms to the needs of Western civilization" and is particularly suited to develop a new spirituality out of the scientific road taken by humanity.

His interest was to help as many as he could by providing a variety of other methods and paths for human development.

In the first decade of the 20th century, August Ewerbeck got word that there were intimate circles in which Rudolf Steiner gave special esoteric training to those admitted to them. So he asked his teacher whether he too might be allowed to attend, and received the astonishing reply: “You don’t need to! You have understood my Philosophy of Freedom!” (from a short obituary by Karl Koller) Enlivening the Chakra of the Heart P177 by Florin Lowndes

His Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment —along with various Eastern or religious paths of development— are paths that are best suited for those who are not engaged in the cognitional striving of today's age of science.

Steiner's daily and monthly exercises from Guidance In Esoteric Training are another example of an alternative path often recommended today, but these exercises were originally put together by Steiner to meet the needs of early 20th century German theosophists when Steiner was a member of the Theosophical Society and later released by Marie Steiner as a counter to a growing interest in "decadent" Indian and Tibetan Eastern methods.

Steiner gave the "proper" study of The Philosophy of Freedom as the appropriate thought-training exercise to further advance today's scientific thinking.

“The primary purpose of my book is to serve as thought training, training in the sense that the special way of both thinking and entertaining these thoughts is such as to bring the soul life of the reader into motion in somewhat the way that gymnastics exercise their limbs.” Rudolf Steiner

Steiner's Legacy
The Philosophy of Freedom is unique among his other works. When asked which of his works he would most want to see rescued if catastrophe should come upon the world, Rudolf Steiner replied without hesitation: "The Philosophy of Freedom" . When asked which of his works would endure over time he said, "Nothing, but The Philosophy of Freedom." Steiner's other lectures and numerous books on spiritual science will fade away and eventually disappear while The Philosophy Of Freedom will remain, in the end, as Steiner's legacy. This is because

The Philosophy of Freedom is a path of development complete within itself in that it contains all the fundamental principles of anthroposophy, is a guide to freedom, and its study is a thought-training exercise to develop the new thinking sought in our age.

Much of Steiner's work after 1900 is culturally dated to specific people at a certain point in time, and may not have even been intended for the general public 100 years later for this reason, but the Philosophy of Freedom is meant to endure if Steiner's legacy is to endure. This website is dedicated to informing the world of Steiner's greatest gift, his path to individualistic truth that empowers life.

While the loss of interest in theosophical terminology, promotion of outdated spiritual practices, lecturing based on blind faith in Steiner (Steinerism [0]) and authoritarian governance [0] has lead to declining membership in the Anthroposophical Society, interest in the Philosophy of Freedom grows and maintains respect, even from Steiner's fiercest critics. The Philosophy of Freedom awakens a person to realize that lionized teachers and authoritarian leaders "are just human beings as weak as themselves".

"The trouble is The Philosophy of Freedom has not been read in the different way I have been describing. That is the point, and a point that must be sharply stressed if the development of the Anthroposophical Society is not to fall far behind anthroposophy itself. If it does fall behind, anthroposophy's conveyance through the society will result in its being completely misunderstood, and its only fruit will be endless conflict!"  Rudolf Steiner

Without a strong foundation in the science and pure conceptual reasoning described in The Philosophy of Freedom, a seeker of truth may be tempted to submit to some assumed universal will, be drawn to the comforting warmth of yesterdays feeling mysticism, or become lost in the speculative metaphysics now being associated with Steiner. For examples of how anything today is called "anthroposophical" no matter how far out, with no foundation at all in scientific thinking, look through the book catalog at SteinerBooks [1].

"Too many seeking experience in all sorts of unclear paths, nebulous mystical approaches, attached themselves to what anthroposophy was trying to achieve in clarity. This group of people attracted the attention of a lot of ill-disposed persons who now attack what people with whom I have no connection whatsoever have been saying. But in these attacks they attribute to 'me' what these vague mystics have produced as their own twisted version of something intended to meet the urgent needs of our modern culture. What is needed is the brightest clarity in everything that has to do with thinking, not vague mysticism.” Rudolf Steiner

The 21st Century
Has the age of The Philosophy of Freedom finally arrived? Young people today have shown a great enthusiasm for the ideas found in Steiner's freedom philosophy. It is a generation with scientific and spiritual instincts attracted to the values found in The Philosophy of Freedom such as ethical individualism, individualistic truth, intuitive insight through clear reasoning, acting out of love for the deed, self-determination, open-mindedness, "live and let live", and free community without the need of authoritative leadership.

Other than this website, you will have difficulty finding much about the unusual thought-structure of The Philosophy of Freedom that acts as a thought-training for anyone who studys it in the proper way.

What is “special” about the book's thoughts and thought structure?
”For in the case of a book like this, the important thing is so to organize the thoughts it contains that they take effect. With many other books it doesn’t make a great deal of difference if one shifts the sequence, putting this thing first and that later. But in the case of  "The Philosophy of Freedom" that is impossible.”

“Within this book thinking is experienced in a way that makes it impossible for a person involved in it to have any other impression, when he is living in thought, he is living in the cosmos. This relatedness to cosmic mysteries is the red thread running through the book.”

What is the "proper" way to study this book?
”Now what kind of reader approach did The Philosophy of Freedom count on? It had to assume a special way of reading. It expected the reader, as they read, to undergo the sort of inner experience that, in an external sense, is really like waking up out of sleep in the morning.”

“That is the reason why it is not exactly popular with people who read a book for information only. It was intended to involve the reader, page by page, in the actual activity of thinking, to serve merely as a score read with inner thought activity as the reader advances on his own from thought to thought.”

“The primary purpose of my book is to serve as thought training, training in the sense that the special way of both thinking and entertaining these thoughts is such as to bring the soul life of the reader into motion in somewhat the way that gymnastics exercise their limbs.”

What results can be expected from study?
”The book is a structured organism, and to work one’s way through the thoughts it contains is to undergo an inner training. A person to who this has not happened as a result of study need not conclude what I am saying is incorrect, but rather he has not read it correctly or worked hard and thoroughly enough.”

“Catharsis is an ancient term for the purification of the astral body by means of meditation and concentration exercises. If a reader takes this book as it was meant and relates to it in the way a virtuoso playing a composition on the piano relates to its composer, reproducing the whole piece out of himself, the books organically evolved thought sequence will bring about a high degree of catharsis.”

Who is Involved
The Philosophy of Freedom is a nonsectarian philosophy so this website is independent of the Anthroposophical Society or any other society or authoritative organization. Anyone can post here. The sites content is determined by those who make the effort to contribute. Early developers were Tom Last, illustrator; Lori Perry; organic farmer; Jay Harms, anthroposophical physician; and webmaster Luke Last.

What Does This Website Offer
Rudolf Steiner has been recognized by many as "the initiate of our age" and the Philosophy of Freedom has been called a "modern temple where self-knowledge may be found", yet it is largely unknown, has been ignored or misunderstood. To help get the word out about Rudolf Steiner and his path these projects have been supported:

• Online Community
• Production of Videos
• Philosophy of Freedom Educational Comics
• Work toward a new English translation
• Philosophy of Freedom Study Course
• Online Self Study Group
• Online Live Voice Study Group
• Local In-person Study Groups

How Can I Get Involved

• Train your mind —individualistic truth empowers life— by studying The Philosophy of Freedom
• Register [1] to the website.
• Get involved in current projects
• Contribute work by producing videos, writing Journals, opening an online Art Gallery, or organizing a study group.
• Become a featured writer with regular Journals about POF.
• Report corrections or website malfunctions
• Propose a website staff position for yourself
• Spread the word to your friends or by posting links on other websites
• Make A Donation [1]
• Use the “contact [1]” email or call to discuss your ideas.

Tom Last

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