Chance, Necessity and Providence

Are We Ruled by Chance? What is Providence? Rudolf Steiner here casts a new light upon these and other questions central to human life. Connecting the inquiry into necessity and chance with the problem of subjectivity and objectivity, Steiner explains how subjective experience develops through time into objective reality. “What was once a subjective experience resurfaces as a characteristic objective element ... The subjective invariably becomes objective.” His discussion of chance, necessity, and the influence of providence or grace on human life culminates in insights into death and the spiritual significance of dying young. During the last two decades of the 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 1924 he founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. ISBN 0-88010-262-4 Anthroposophic Press        85440-345-0 Rudolf Steiner Press