THE PUBLICATION OF LECTURES HELD BY RUDOLF STEINER
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 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 Steiner 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.
As far as necessary, particulars with regard to the text are to be found in
the accompanying notes.
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