Intuition: The Focus of Thinking

Rudolf Steiner draws a clear distinction between the spiritual meaning of the word Intuition and its conventional definition. As the highest form of spiritual perception, Intuition is existentially significant for our process of knowing. Through systematic self-training, we can develop thinking into an intuitive “organ” through which spirit can be understood and penetrated consciously. Intuition can reveal the essence of spirit and the processes through which human beings and the world manifest, as well as events in our life after death.

In his later works, Steiner spoke of Intuition as a form of suprasensory knowledge that is able to provide direct insight into ordinary, practical life as exemplified in his commentaries on geometry, architecture, education, medicine, eurythmy, painting, and the social organization.

The concept of Intuition is fundamental to Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual philosophy. It denotes a clear, pure mode of comprehension akin to a mathematical concept. We encounter this in Steiner’s earliest writings on Goethe, in the development of his philosophical ideas, and in his numerous lectures and addresses.

Ably compiled and introduced by Edward de Boer, this volume clarifies a concept that evolved in Steiner’s thinking. By following the idea of Intuition in its gradual transformation and amplification throughout Steiner’s life of writing and lecturing, this book offers not only inspiring paths to spiritual knowledge, but also insights into how Anthroposophy developed.

This book is a translation from German of Intuition: Brennpunkt des Denkens (Rudolf Steiner Verlag, 2014).

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe's scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner's multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.