Steiner's anarchism
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:21 am
This thread is a spin-off from this one (viewtopic.php?t=744). It is intended to be about the Steiner’s views on anarchism and his philosophy as presented in The Philosophy of Freedom. It is not concerned with Steiner’s views subsequent to his involvement with theosophy.
During his pre-theosophical period Steiner was identifying as an ‘individualist anarchist’ (https://philosophyoffreedom.com/individualist-anarchism). He was also good friends with the prominent anarchists John Henry Mackay and Benjamin Tucker (who was also a libertarian socialist). In relation to Mackay's views, Steiner said 'I have the conviction that we agree, with respect to our views, every bit as far as two natures fully independent of one another can agree'. He publicly expressed his views in 1898 as follows:
- Steiner’s views in his pre-theosophical period was that The Philosophy of Freedom was consistent with anarchism.
- Anarchism entails that people should be free to decide for themselves what spiritual practices to follow, and will be capable of doing when free
from coercive authority. This entails religious and spiritual pluralism.
- Therefore, Steiner’s views in his pre-theosophical period are consistent with religious and spiritual pluralism and the view that there are many
paths to freedom.
During his pre-theosophical period Steiner was identifying as an ‘individualist anarchist’ (https://philosophyoffreedom.com/individualist-anarchism). He was also good friends with the prominent anarchists John Henry Mackay and Benjamin Tucker (who was also a libertarian socialist). In relation to Mackay's views, Steiner said 'I have the conviction that we agree, with respect to our views, every bit as far as two natures fully independent of one another can agree'. He publicly expressed his views in 1898 as follows:
In view of these facts, the purpose of this thread is to discuss the following argument:Steiner wrote:
Now the state believes people can only get along if one tells them: you must be like this. And if you are not like that, then you’ll just have to be like that anyway. The individualist anarchist, on the other hand, holds that the best situation would result if one would give people free way. He has the trust that they would find their direction themselves. Naturally he does not believe that the day after tomorrow there would be no more pickpockets if one would abolish the state tomorrow. But he knows that one cannot by authority and force educate people to freeness. He knows this one thing: one clears the way for the most independent people by doing away with all force and authority.
- Steiner’s views in his pre-theosophical period was that The Philosophy of Freedom was consistent with anarchism.
- Anarchism entails that people should be free to decide for themselves what spiritual practices to follow, and will be capable of doing when free
from coercive authority. This entails religious and spiritual pluralism.
- Therefore, Steiner’s views in his pre-theosophical period are consistent with religious and spiritual pluralism and the view that there are many
paths to freedom.