Who was Rudolf Steiner?
By all accounts he was a very decent person with a myriad of interests. There is little doubt that his was a very full and fruitful life. We know that he was born in Austria in 1861 and died in 1925. During his interesting life he wrote many books and lectured extensively. Among his many accomplishments was the founding of the Waldorf School movement. The first school began in 1919 for the workers of the Waldorf Astoria cigarette-factory at Stuttgart. These schools, without a doubt, are rooted in the ideology of Rudolf Steiner. But what was Steiner’s ideology, who exactly was he and how does this relate to Waldorf Education? The answer to the question, it seems, depends entirely on who is doing the asking. The fundamental ideology of Waldorf Education is that of Rudolf Steiner. It is called Anthroposophy. Regardless of what one might think of Anthroposophy (religion or philosophy or . . .) this belief system stems from concepts (among others) of reincarnation and karma. How does Anthro
Dr. Rudolf Steiner was a highly respected and well-published scientific, literary and philosophical scholar who was particularly known for his work on Goethe’s scientific writings. He later came to incorporate his scientific investigations with his interest in spiritual development. He became a forerunner in the field of spiritual-scientific investigation for the modern 20th century individual. His background in history and civilisations coupled with his observation in life gave the world the gift of Waldorf Education. It is a deeply insightful application of learning based on the Study of Humanity with developing consciousness of self and the surrounding world.
Rudolf Steiner was born in Croatia in 1861 and died in 1925. He is best described as an eclectic individual. During his lifetime Steiner was highly esteemed as a scientist, philosopher, mystic, artist, architect and spiritual leader. For many people, the title of both scientist and spiritual leader, or mystic and philosopher for example, may seem to be at odds with one another. However, throughout his lifetime Steiner sought to reconcile opposition and influenced millions of people to incorporate these elements into their lives and the education of their children in a complete way. Steiner is probably most famously known as the founder of the Waldorf education. As a young man, he was asked by a prominent cigarette factory owner if it was possible to educate the young so that they would grow up to maintain a peaceful society. Steiner thought it was possible and set out to develop a unique educational philosophy; he soon applied it to teaching the factory owner’s employees’ children. The
