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Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was an Austrian philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist, who is best known as the founder of Anthroposophy, a spiritual movement that advocates for the development of a complete understanding of the human spirit. Steiner articulated his ideas in a multitude of lectures and books, among them 'The Spiritual Guidance of Man and of Mankind,' which offers insights into the spiritual development of humanity and individual souls. Trained in philosophy and natural sciences, he initially made contributions to Goethe's scientific works, but his focus gradually shifted towards his own vision of spiritual science. Steiner's broad literary output includes fundamental Anthroposophical works like 'The Philosophy of Freedom,' 'Occult Science - An Outline,' and 'How to Know Higher Worlds.' His literary style is characterized by a complex synthesis of ideas drawn from Western esoteric traditions, German Idealist philosophy, and his clairvoyant observations of spiritual realities. Steiner's influence permeated various fields, leading to the creation of Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, and anthroposophic medicine. As a figure whose work bridged the 19th and 20th centuries, Steiner was a catalyst for those seeking a deeper, spiritually oriented understanding of life and human purpose. |