Anthroposophy and Ecofascism III

Continuing my analysis of the first paragraph of Peter Staudenmaier'sAnthroposophy and Ecofascism.

While the summary of the nonexistent lecture given above bears some superficial resemblance to a few themes in the book it flatly contradicts Steiner's actual thesis. For one, no portion refers to the superiority of the fifth root race (nor has Staudenmaier been able to produce one during a back and forth discussion of several months on a public e-mail list). We find at the start of lecture five (June11th, 1910):

"It will be seen from the last lecture that if we wish to make an impartial study of the facts underlying our present investigation we must transcend those prejudices which might easily arise on matters which I must now describe objectively. So long as one has the slightest tendency to take personally an objective description of a particular race or people, it will be difficult to reach a unprejudiced understanding of the facts presented in this lecture-course. For this reason these matters can only be discussed in the light of a systematic knowledge of the spirit. For however deeply one may be involved emotionally in a particular people or race, as Anthroposophists we have an adequate counterpoise in the teaching of karma and reincarnation, when rightly understood. This teaching opens a vista into the future and reveals that our integral Self is incarnated in successive ages in different races and peoples. When we contemplate the destiny of our integral Self we may be sure that we shall share not only the positive or perhaps also the negative aspects of all races and peoples; but we may be sure that in our inmost being we shall also receive the countless blessings of all races and all peoples since we are incarnated in different races at different times.
"Our consciousness, our horizon, is enlarged through these ideas of karma and reincarnation. Only through these teachings therefore do we learn to accept what is revealed to us at the present time concerning the mysterious relations of race and nation. If we rightly understand the theme of these lectures we shall harbor no regrets at having incarnated in a particular people or race. But an objective survey of national and racial characteristics may, nonetheless, provoke dissension and disharmony unless it is accepted in the spirit I have already suggested. The aspirant for spiritual knowledge will learn through the teachings of karma and reincarnation how every nation, even the smallest nation, has to contribute its share towards the total evolution of humanity. In the second part of this lecture-course I propose to show - and herein lies its real importance - how the particular influences of the missions of the several peoples are merged in the whole of humanity and how even isolated ethic groups which are scattered here and there amongst larger national groups have their part to play in the great harmony of human evolution."
Rudolf Steiner. The Mission of the Individual Folk Souls in relation to Teutonic Mythology. London 1970, pages 82-83.

So rather than a paean to the superiority of an Aryan race we find Steiner praising the virtues of all races and telling his listeners that they will reincarnate into every race.