Polarities in the Evolution of Humanity: West and East - Materialism and Mysticism - Knowledge and Belief

In these eleven lectures given in post-war Stuttgart, Rudolf Steiner addresses the challenges and uncertainties of the time, revealing the spiritual background to the forces of decline in contemporary civilization. He speaks of retrogressive powers, luciferic or ahrimanic, that work directly into human culture, manifesting in various forms. Steiner emphasizes the need for a threefold principle, represented by Christ, to create a balance in the midst of these existential conflicts. This newly-reworked translation is complemented with notes, an index, and an introduction by Matthew Barton.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2022
Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press

The present age must grasp the significance of maintaining a delicate equilibrium between the two polar extremes, encompassing the realms of ahrimanic and luciferic forces. Humans often tend to veer in one direction, driven by their inherent tendencies. However, a remarkable figure stands in the middle, embodying the balance: Christ.

In the aftermath of World War II, Rudolf Steiner delivered these eleven lectures in Stuttgart, amidst a backdrop of societal turmoil and uncertainty. Not only did he face challenges within society at large, but also within the anthroposophical movement, where his supporters were actively introducing threefold social ideas. As a prominent figure, Steiner himself became a target of personal and sometimes physical attacks.

In response to this turbulent situation, Steiner delves into the spiritual underpinnings of the forces of decline that were exerting their influence on contemporary civilization. He speaks of retrogressive powers, spiritual beings referred to as luciferic or ahrimanic, that actively infiltrate human culture, manifesting in various aspects. These powers can be observed in the initiation streams of Western secret societies, the Church-allied impulse of Jesuitism, and the Bolshevik force of Leninism. Furthermore, they foster polarized thinking and the creation of false opposites, such as East versus West, materialism versus mysticism, and knowledge versus belief.

It is only through the application of the threefold principle, symbolized by Christ, that we can attain a sense of balance amidst these existential conflicts. This freshly reworked translation is accompanied by comprehensive notes, an index, and an introduction by Matthew Barton, further enhancing the reader's understanding and appreciation of this profound work.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781855846012