Anthroposophy and Ecofascism 42

Continuing my commentary on the 12th paragraph of Peter Staudenmaier's Anthroposophy and Ecofascism.

Three more quotes show that Steiner did actually call Anthroposophy a science, and was at pains to claim that it could be "verified by reason, logic, and scientific inquiry.

From the Preface to the 16 th to 20 th editions of “An Outline of Occult Science”:

“The fact that I have entitled this book Occult Science has immediately called forth misunderstandings. From many sides was heard, 'What claims to be science must not be secret, occult.' How little thought was exercised in making such an objection! As though someone who reveals a subject matter would want to be secretive about it. The entire book shows that it was not the intention to designate anything 'occult' but to bring everything into a form that renders it as understandable as any science.”

Rudolf Steiner, An Outline of Occult Science, Hudson 1972, p. xiii

From the Preface to the 1 st edition of “An Outline of Occult Science”:

“Although the book deals with the results of research that lie beyond the power of the intellect bound to the sense world, yet nothing is offered that cannot be comprehended by anyone possessing an unprejudiced reason, a healthy sense of truth, and the wish to employ these human faculties. The author says without hesitation that he would like, above all, to have readers who are not willing to accept on blind faith what is offered here, but who endeavor to examine what is offered by means of the knowledge of their own soul and through the experience of living their own lives (here is not only meant the spiritual scientific tests by supersensible methods of research, but primarily the test that is possible by healthy, unprejudiced thought and common sense). The author knows his book would have no value, were it dependent only on blind faith; it is only useful to the degree it can be vindicated before unbiased reason. Blind faith can so easily mistake the foolish and the superstitious for true. Many who are gladly satisfied with a mere belief in a 'supersensible world' will perhaps find that this book makes too great a demand on the powers of thought.”

Rudolf Steiner, An Outline of Occult Science, Hudson 1972.

The fact that Steiner actually encouraged his followers to verify his statements independently means Peter Staudenmaier's accusation that "modern Anthroposophy is thus founded on blind faith in Steiner's convictions" is logically untenable. Even if it can be shown that a minority of his so-called followers tends to treat him as a guru against his wishes, it does not follow that everything done in a "far-flung network of public institutions" is "founded on blind faith in Steiner's convictions". Most anthroposophists and others involved in the "far-flung network of public institutions" have an agnostic attitude to Steiner's works. They find his thinking fascinating, and hold his conclusions as working hypotheses while they test his practical indications against reality as they experience it.