Donate books to help fund our work. Learn more→

The Rudolf Steiner Archive

a project of Steiner Online Library, a public charity

Search results 1061 through 1070 of 6379

˂ 1 ... 105 106 107 108 109 ... 638 ˃
2. A Theory of Knowledge: The Point of Departure
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
This statement cannot be disproved by reference to the fact that a number of older and younger philosophers and scientists have undertaken to interpret Goethe and Schiller. For these have not attained to their scientific standpoints by developing the germs existing in the scientific works of these heroes of the mind.
To this necessity must we ascribe the fact that modern researchers have undertaken to interpret our classic writers as we have explained above. These interpretations reveal nothing more than a vague feeling that it will not suffice simply to pass over the convictions of those thinkers and proceed with the order of the day.
If a thinker holding such a one-sided conception confronts Goethe's view, which is unlimited—because it always takes its manner of observation, not from the mind of the observer, but from the nature of the thing observed—then it may easily be understood that this one-sided thinker lays hold upon that element in Goethe's thought which harmonizes with his own.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: Goethe's Science Considered According to the Method of Schiller
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
[ 2 ] The objection may be raised that this is not the way in which to present a point of view scientifically. A scientific opinion must never under any circumstances rest upon authority, but must always rest upon principles. Let us at once discuss this objection.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: The Function of This Branch of Science
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
The ideal and the real world, the antithesis between idea and reality,—these constitute the problem of such a science. These contrasting elements also must be understood in their reciprocal relationships. [ 3 ] It is the purpose of the following discussion to seek for these relationships.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: Reference to the Experience of the Individual Reader
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
In the first instance the attention of B is attracted in a certain manner; he is advised to form a judgment of a certain person under certain circumstances. In the second instance a certain characteristic is attributed to this person, and therefore an assertion is made.
[ 4 ] If, now, we are to have a name for the first form in which we observe reality, we are convinced that the name most adequately applicable is to be found in the expression “appearance to the senses.” We here understand by the term sense not only the external senses, mediators of the external world, but all bodily and mental organs whatsoever which have to do with our becoming aware of the immediate facts.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: Thought and Consciousness
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
If these do not spring from our subjective being—a supposition we have already taken under consideration and set aside as untenable—what, then, could provide us with laws of interconnection for a content produced by ourselves?
This is not the place to investigate whether this point of view is correct or not; but it is possible, and we have attained what we wished to attain: that is, we have shown that it is entirely in order to postpone for the present undertaking to prove that the objectivity of thought, which we have declared to be a matter of necessity, is not a self-contradictory conception.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: The Inner Nature of Thought
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
He first takes the objects as they are, and, while banishing entirely every subjective opinion, seeks to penetrate into their nature; he then creates the conditions under which the objects can appear in reciprocal action and watches to see the results. He seeks to give Nature the opportunity to bring her laws into operation under especially characteristic circumstances, which he brings about—an opportunity, as it were, to express her own laws.
They are mere mediators to the subject of a content which is of a non-conceptual character. Such is the point of view under discussion. [ 12 ] If it were well founded, one of the following assumptions would necessarily be true.
That which they possess in common—that is, the principle on which they are formed and which causes them to be classed under the concept triangle—is attained only when we cross over the boundary of the sense-experience.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: Thought and Perception
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
The newer type makes the same demand, to be sure, and sets forth a complete theory of experience—only, however, to transgress this at once the moment it undertakes the first step into real knowledge. [ 3 ] If we should wish to lay hold upon pure experience, we should have to empty ourselves completely of our thinking.
One of these is the concept of a thing which can of itself set itself in motion or come to rest; another is the concept of a body which alters its state only under an external influence. These latter bodies we designate as inorganic. If, then, I meet a certain body which reflects in the percept the above conceptual definition, I designate it as inorganic and unite with it all characterizations which follow from the concept of an inorganic body.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: Inorganic Nature
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
For in it there is expressed the fact, not only that an occurrence happened under certain definite conditions, but that it had to happen. It has been seen clearly that the occurrence had to happen because of the very nature of the thing under consideration.
It observes a phenomenon which comes about in a definite manner under given conditions. Again it sees the same phenomenon occur under similar conditions. From this it concludes that there exists a general law according to which this occurrence must take place, and postulates this law as such.
Yet there is a way by which we may surmount the latter. We may produce a phenomenon under various modifications. We allow first one and then another contributing circumstance to be active.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: Organic Nature
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
It is supposed that the character of a certain species can be deduced from the external conditions under which it has existed, just as we can derive the heating of a body from the sunbeam falling on it.
Suppose that an organic entity had the essential characteristics abc and then evolved under definite influences so that its characteristics have assumed the particular form a'b'c'. When we take this influence into account, we shall understand that a has evolved into the form a'; b into b'; c into c.
There always exists a definite presupposition (that is, prerequisites accessible to experience are given) and we then determine what occurs when these presuppositions are realized. We then comprehend a single phenomenon under the basic law. We think thus:—Under these conditions, the phenomenon occurs; the conditions are present and, therefore, the phenomenon must occur.
2. A Theory of Knowledge: Introduction: Spirit and Nature
Translated by Olin D. Wannamaker

Rudolf Steiner
It is for this reason that Schiller's letters on aesthetics take such high rank, because they undertake to find the nature of beauty in the idea of freedom, because freedom is the principle which permeates them.

Results 1061 through 1070 of 6379

˂ 1 ... 105 106 107 108 109 ... 638 ˃