These three constitute the activities of human society.
Steiner argues that we must understand this fact as well as the need
of these three activities for independence or autonomy from one
another if society is to be healthy. In his foreword Joseph
Weizenbaum observes that the framers of the US constitution
understood this principle, at least in part, when they developed the
constitutional doctrine of separation of Church and State, a division
between culture and politics. But the principle has not yet been
applied to education and other areas of culture. An understanding of
these ideas offers a refreshing insight into the nature of modern
society as wet! as guidance for solving today's pressing social
problems.
During the last two decades of this nineteenth century
the Austrian-born 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. After the turn of the century he began to develop his
earlier philosophical principles into an approach to methodical
research of psychological and spiritual phenomena. His multi-faceted
genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine,
science, education (Waldorf schools), special education, philosophy,
religion, economics, agriculture (Bio-Dynamic method), architecture,
drama, the new art of eurythmy. and other fields. In i924 he founded
the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches
throughout the world.