The Spiritual Background to the First World War: (Cw 174b)

by Rudolf Steiner, Simon Blaxland-de Lange (Introduction), Simon Blaxland-de Lange (Translator)

Overview

16 lectures, Stuttgart, Sept. 30, 1914-March 3, 1921 (CW 174b)

With the unprecedented global conflict of World War I as the overarching theme, Rudolf Steiner addresses timeless issues such as the search for harmony among peoples and nations, the development of love as a human capacity, the continuing presence of Christ, and the matters of life after death and reincarnation.

Speaking in Stuttgart during and after the war years, Steiner discusses the perpetual tension between East and West, especially in connection with Europe. The war, he says, arose principally from the Anglo-Saxon peoples' determination "to exercise world-domination." Knowing that Slavic culture is destined to be the precursor of the sixth cultural epoch, Western national interests resolved to make Eastern Europe, specifically Russia, "the field for socialist experiments." Those events were aggravated by the failure of the Central European peoples in their own world-historical task to "rise to a broad sense of vision" as intermediaries between the two groups. Throughout, Steiner refers to the work of individual folk souls, but distinguishes them from the scourge of nationalism, especially when based on blood, while also emphasizing the sovereignty of each human being.

Although more than a century old, the enduring themes of these previously untranslated lectures will resonate with many readers today. Published for the first time in English, the main text is supplemented with an introduction by Simon Blaxland-de Lange, editorial notes, and an index.

This volume is a translation from German of Die geistigen Hintergründe des Ersten Weltkrieges. Kosmische und Menschliche Geschichte Band VII, Rudolf Steiner Verlag, 2nd ed., 1994 (GA 174b).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781855846616
Publisher:	Rudolf Steiner Press
Publication date:	09/10/2024
Series:	Collected Works of Rudolf Steiner , #174
Pages:	412
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 6.10(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz 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. Steiner termed his spiritual philosophy anthroposophy, meaning "wisdom of the human being." As an exceptionally developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern, universal "spiritual science" that is accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unbiased thinking. From his spiritual investigations, Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of numerous activities, including education (general and for special needs), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, Christianity, and the arts. There are currently thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and initiatives in other fields that involve practical work based on the principles Steiner developed. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of human beings, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods for personal development. He wrote some thirty books and delivered more than six thousand lectures throughout much of Europe. In 1924, Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches around the world.

Simon Blaxland de Lange has for many years worked as an educator for people with special needs. He is also a prolific writer and translator and an amateur musician and gardener. Blaxland de Lange helped establish Pericles Translations and Research, Pericles Training and Work (for adults with special needs), and the Pericles Theatre Company. Together with Dr Vivian Law, he cofounded the Humanities Research Group in 1997 and the British group of the Humanities Section of the School of Spiritual Science in 1998. He met Owen Barfield in 1979, and has been a student of his work for the past thirty years.

Simon Blaxland de Lange has for many years worked as an educator for people with special needs. He is also a prolific writer and translator and an amateur musician and gardener. Blaxland de Lange helped establish Pericles Translations and Research, Pericles Training and Work (for adults with special needs), and the Pericles Theatre Company. Together with Dr Vivian Law, he cofounded the Humanities Research Group in 1997 and the British group of the Humanities Section of the School of Spiritual Science in 1998. He met Owen Barfield in 1979, and has been a student of his work for the past thirty years.