Rudolf Steiner: Theosophy

Questions for Further Study

• 1. How does Steiner’s understanding of reincarnation and karma differ from that found in various documents from Eastern religions? For reference, see, for example, the entries on the Noble Eightfold Path, the Bodhicaryavatara, or the Bhagavad Gita.
• 2. What was the fundamental dispute between Steiner’s views and those of the positivists? Why do you think these sets of views came into conflict during this period of history?
• 3. Helena Blavatsky (see The Secret Doctrine) and Steiner both wrote about Theosophy. Although their works contain many similarities, there is one fundamental difference—one that led to Steiner’s split from the Theosophical movement. What is that difference? How do the two writers defend their differing positions?
• 4. In discussing Theosophy, the entry states that “through the spirit, the human being discovers the inherent and eternal qualities of the surrounding world. In experiencing something repeatedly, the spirit allows humans to detect timeless characteristics and thus the laws and true being of what surrounds them.” Now, a century later, scientists have largely unlocked the genetic makeup of humans and have identified certain emotions and tendencies (love, violence, risk taking, alcoholism) with chemical processes in the brain—or at least claim to have done so. Do you believe that these scientific discoveries have effectively negated Steiner’s views? Or do you believe that there still exists a nonmaterial spiritual dimension to life?