THE
PUBLICATION OF RUDOLF STEINER'S LECTURES
The
foundation of anthroposophically orientated
Spiritual Science is laid in the works which were written and
published by Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). At the same time Dr. Steiner
held numerous lectures and courses both for the general public and
for members of the Theosophical (later Anthroposophical) Society in
the years between 1900 and 1924. It was not his original wish to have
these lectures published which were without exception of a
spontaneous nature and conceived as “oral communications not
intended for print.” However, after an increasing number of
incomplete and erroneous listeners' transcripts had been printed and
circulated, he found it necessary to have the notes regulated. He
entrusted this task to Marie von Sivers. She was made responsible for
the choice of stenographers, the supervision of their transcripts and
the necessary revision of texts before publication. As Rudolf Steiner
was only in a very few instances able to correct the notes himself
his reservation in respect to all publications of his lectures must
be taken into account: “Errors occurring in transcripts which I
myself have been unable to revise will just have to be
tolerated.”
In Chapter 35 of his autobiography, Rudolf Steiner
expounds on the relationship between his lectures for members which
were initially only circulated internally and his public writings.
The relevant text is printed at the end of this volume. What is
expressed there also applies to the lecture courses directed towards
a restricted audience already familiar with the principles of
Spiritual Science.
After Marie Steiner's death (1867–1948) the
editing of a “Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner” was
commenced according to her directions. The volume at hand constitutes
a part of this complete edition.
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