To: <anthroposophy_tomorrow@yahoogroups.com>
References: <20040311024644.87933.qmail@web14424.mail.yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [anthroposophy_tomorrow] To Peter
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 22:18:23 -0500

Hi again Daniel, you wrote:
"Actually, the title of Chapter 6 is "The Five MAIN Races of Mankind." Root races are not mentioned anywhere at all in the book. Nor is the word "Aryan"."

Peter Staudenmaier:
I think you need new reading glasses. The title of chapter 6 is in fact "The Five Root Races of Mankind". The book was published in 1970 by the Rudolf Steiner Press, translated by A.H. Parker. Would you like me to send you a photocopy?

Daniel:
Sorry that I wasn't clear. I have the German in front of me (primary sources). The title of Chapter 6 is "Die fünf Hauptrassen der Menschheit" If it stands as the "Root Races" in the English version, then it has been mistranslated. For some reason I thought you used the original in your essay. Sorry.
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Daniel wrote:
"Despite being in quotes, the phrase "Aryan race" is nowhere in the book."

Peter Staudenmaier:
That's true. (It is not true, however, that the word "Aryan" is not mentioned in the book, as you claim above.) Is there some reason you're ignoring the revised version of my article?

Daniel:
The word "Aryan" (and I looked for Arier and arische) is nowhere in the German. I'll have to look at this translation.

I am ignoring the revised version of your article only by accident. I did a google search for "Anthroposophy and Ecofascism" and took the first search result. If you are concerned with the accuracy of your writing, you might consider insisting that the owner of "waldorfcritics.org" update it.

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Daniel wrote:
"Despite being in quotes, the pharse "root races" is nowhere in the book."

Peter Staudenmaier:
That's not true. Could you tell us what edition of the book you're looking at?

Daniel:
The 1962 Gesamptasugabe version.

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Daniel wrote:
"Despite being in quotes, the pharse "germanic-nordic sub-race" is nowhere in the book."

Peter Staudenmaier:
That's true. Wouldn't it make sense to take a peek at the revised version of the article?

Daniel:
If I can find it. Would it make sense to update it on the sites that google findes among the top ten search results? If I were concerned about my good name being damaged by inaccurate versions of my writings, I would go at least that far.

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Daniel wrote:
"The word "Aryan" is nowhere in the book."

Peter Staudenmaier:
That isn't true. Take a closer look at p. 106 (that's p. 114 if all you have is the German).

Daniel:
I'm not finding it on page 114 (1962 edition). Could you give me the sentence?

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Daniel wrote:
"Peter, just what book were you reading when you wrote this, because it is not the book you have cited. In fact, I don't think it is even Steiner."

Peter Staudenmaier:
The title is The Mission of the Individual Folk Souls in Relation to Teutonic Mythology. You think maybe A.H. Parker forged it?

Daniel:
I am starting to wonder about the translation. Parker appears to have taken some liberty with the exact terminology.

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Daniel wrote:
"Steiner never spoke outside of Oslo on that "tour", and gave only two lectures beyond the 11 printed in GA 121."

Peter Staudenmaier:
Agreed.

Daniel:
I take it that sentence has been corrected in the revised version?

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Daniel wrote:
"Peter, is this your idea of the "historical polemic" that a half dozen respected authors you refer me to purportedly support?"

Peter Staudenmaier:
No, it's my idea of simple reading. What book are you looking at, Daniel?

Daniel:
The one that contains:

"It will be seen from the last lecture that if we wish to make an impartial study of the facts underlying our present investigation we must transcend those prejudices which might easily arise on matters which I must now describe objectively. So long as one has the slightest tendency to take personally an objective description of a particular race or people, it will be difficult to reach a unprejudiced understanding of the facts presented in this lecture-course. For this reason these matters can only be discussed in the light of a systematic knowledge of the spirit. For however deeply one may be involved emotionally in a particular people or race, as Anthroposophists we have an adequate counterpoise in the teaching of karma and reincarnation, when rightly understood. This teaching opens a vista into the future and reveals that our integral Self is incarnated in successive ages in different races and peoples. When we contemplate the destiny of our integral Self we may be sure that we shall share not only the positive or perhaps also the negative aspects of all races and peoples; but we may be sure that in our inmost being we shall also receive the countless blessings of all races and all peoples since we are incarnated in different races at different times.

Our consciousness, our horizon, is enlarged through these ideas of karma and reincarnation. Only through these teachings therefore do we learn to accept what is revealed to us at the present time concerning the mysterious relations of race and nation. If we rightly understand the theme of these lectures we shall harbor no regrets at having incarnated in a particular people or race. But an objective survey of national and racial characteristics may, nonetheless, provoke dissension and disharmony unless it is accepted in the spirit I have already suggested. The aspirant for spiritual knowledge will learn through the teachings of karma and reincarnation how every nation, even the smallest nation, has to contribute its share towards the total evolution of humanity. In the second part of this lecture-course I propose to show - and herein lies its real importance - how the particular influences of the missions of the several peoples are merged in the whole of humanity and how even isolated ethic groups which are scattered here and there amongst larger national groups have their part to play in the great harmony of human evolution."

Rudolf Steiner, The Mission of the Individual Folk Souls in relation to Teutonic Mythology, London 1970, pages 82-83.

I would like to emphasize in particular the sentence:
"The aspirant for spiritual knowledge will learn through the teachings of karma and reincarnation how every nation, even the smallest nation, has to contribute its share towards the total evolution of humanity."

This seems to paint a rather different picture than the one you do.

Daniel Hindes

The exchange continues.