Rudolf Steiner's Philosophy - Hardcover

Welburn, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0863154360 ISBN 13: 9780863154362

Publisher: Floris Books, 2004

Synopsis

The Austrian-born philosopher Rudolf Steiner inspired a vast legacy of practical work in Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, the Camphill Communities for adults and children with special needs, as well as in many artistic and scientific domains.
Underlying them all was a subtle and highly developed approach to thought, with which Steiner addressed philosophical issues in a new way. Many of these issues were also being tackled in parallel to Steiner by a number of his contemporaries, notably the Phenomenological school pioneered by Edmund Husserl and others. Steiner was notable too for developing concepts of structure and developmental ideas far ahead of his time.
Seeking to clarify moral thinking in terms of his 'ethical individualism, 'steiner offered a challenging view of knowledge, not as abstract objectivity but as a creative relationship between the knower and the known. From this standpoint, all genuine knowledge is an expression of our active engagement with the world. Knowledge is never just about the world 'out there,' since every individual shares in reality that is known, and there are no morally neutral acts or thoughts.

About this title

About the Author:

Andrew Welburn is a fellow of New College, Oxford. He has written, translated, and edited numerous books on spiritual science, the ancient Mysteries, and early Christianity.

Review:

'This is a valuable book, not just for persons interested in the thought of Rudolf Steiner. It is valuable as well for anyone seeking to find a way forward amidst the shattered fragments of the modern worldview. Uncannily, according to Welburn's account, Steiner anticipated the crisis associated with post-modernity we have been facing and proposed an innovative, constructive way forward.' -- Dale Cannon, Appraisal: the Journal of the Society for Post-Critical and Personalist Studies, March 2005 'Armchair philosophers will enjoy reading this with nothing stronger than a mild herb tea to keep them awake. What really makes this book relevant and exciting is its subject. Much of this book is about knowledge, what it is, how we achieve it and above all, how knowledge acquires meaning. This book is an excellent guide.' -- Martyn Rawson, Steiner Education, June 2004 'It would be useful to have a new edition of Steiner's The Philosophy of Freedom set in the context of contemporary philosophy. Until that happens, Welburn's contribution provides an excellent alternative. [...] Welburn covers the whole breadth of Steiner's philosophical thinking and in doing so relates it to contemporary philosophy and ethics, including the work of several philosophers alive today. I was favourably impressed by how naturally the author leads the reader, almost unawares, over the boundary from philosophy to anthroposophy and the occult. [...] Should interest scientists as well as those more generally interested in Steiner's thinking.' David Heaf, New View, Spring 2004

About this edition

• Publisher: Floris Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0863154360
• ISBN 13: 9780863154362
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288