Theosophy: An Introduction to the Supersensible Knowledge of the World and the Destination of Man

by Rudolf Steiner, Elizabeth Douglas Shields (Translator)

Overview

Austrian philosopher, playwright, and artist Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) is perhaps best known as an educational philosopher and reformer, the founder of Steiner (or Waldorf) schools located around the world. These schools' philosophy represents the priorities Steiner discusses in Theosophy: the development of body, soul, and spirit. Goethe was an important influence on Steiner, and he edited the poet's scientific works (1889–1896). Steiner was an active member and leader of the German branch of Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical Society, eventually broke away from theosophy, as he developed his own spiritual philosophy termed 'anthroposophy'; this philosophical movement asserted the potential of realizing a spiritual reality through cognition. This 1910 translation by Elizabeth Douglas Shields is of the book's third German edition; it was first published in 1904. This work will be of particular interest to historians of philosophy, of spiritual movements and of education.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108072663
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/02/2011
Series:	Cambridge Library Collection - Spiritualism and Esoteric Knowledge
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) became a respected and well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, particularly known for his work on Goethe's scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his earlier philosophical principles into an approach to methodical research of psychological and spiritual phenomena. His multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, philosophy, religion, education (Waldorf schools), special education (the Camphill movement), economics, agriculture (biodynamics), science, architecture, and the arts (drama, speech and eurythmy). In 1924 he founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which has branches throughout the world.

Table of Contents

Translator's foreword Elizabeth Douglas Shields; Preface to the first edition; Preface to the third edition; Introduction; Part I. The Constitution of the Human Being: 1. The corporeal being of man; 2. The soul being of man; 3. The spiritual being of man; 4. Body, soul, and spirit; Part II. Re-Embodiment of the Spirit and Destiny, or Re-Incarnation and Karma; Part III. The Three Worlds: 1. The soul world; 2. The soul in the soul world after death; 3. The spiritland; 4. The spirit in the spiritland after death; 5. The physical world and its connection with the soul and spiritlands; 6. Thought forms and the human aura; Part IV. The Path of Knowledge; Notes and amplifications.