The Beginning and the End of the Scientific Method
“Modern
Science, and the scientism based on it, so far from being the only
possible ‘reality-principal’ is merely one way of
conceiving the nature of reality; a way moreover that has arisen only
recently and which there is no reason to suppose will last
forever.”
— Owen Barfield, from the foreword
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 0-88010-140-7, Anthroposophic Press
0-85440-680-8,
Rudolf Steiner Press