To: <anthroposophy_tomorrow@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Fw: [anthroposophy_tomorrow] To Peter
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 23:10:31 -0500

In light of some new information I have recieved from Peter Staudenmaier, it is necessary for me to revise my original statements for accuracy. My apologies to Peter for the initially incorrect version (reprinted at the end, for comparison).

Peter Staudenmaier in the first paragraph of Anthroposophy and Ecofascism, wrote:
"In June 1910 Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, began a speaking tour of Norway with a lecture to a large and attentive audience in Oslo. The lecture was titled "The Mission of Individual European National Souls in Relation to Nordic-Germanic Mythology." In the Oslo lecture and throughout his Norwegian tour Steiner presented his theory of "national souls" (Volksseelen in German, Steiner's native tongue) and paid particular attention to the mysterious wonders of the "Nordic spirit." The "national souls" of Northern and Central Europe were, Steiner explained, components of the "germanic-nordic sub-race," the world's most spiritually advanced ethnic group, which was in turn the vanguard of the highest of five historical "root races." This superior fifth root race, Steiner told his Oslo audience, was naturally the "Aryan race."

Problems:
Despite being in quotes, the phrase "Aryan race" is nowhere in the book.
Despite being in quotes, the pharse "root races" is nowhere in Steiner's original.
Despite being in quotes, the pharse "germanic-nordic sub-race" is nowhere in the book (or anywhere else in Steiner).
Despite being in quotes, the pharse "Nordic spirit" is nowhere in the book.
The word "Superior" appears nowhere in the book.
The word "Superiority" appears nowhere in the book.
The word "Aryan" appears only once in the book, in the following context:

"Here is the seat of those forces which determine the particular racial character of those races belonging to the Jupiter humanity. This applies more or less to the Aryans, to the peoples of Asia Minor and Europe whm we regard as members of the Caucasian race. In these peoples the modifications of the generic character which stems from the abnormal Spirits of Form is accounted for by the influence of the senses of the abnormal Spirits whom we may describe as Jupiter Spirits." (page 110 in the 1962 German edition)

If the superiority of the Aryan race is the main theme of the book, you would expect the term to be employed more frequently than once in 11 lectures, and in a more explicit context.

"...and throughout his Norwegian tour ..." has been corrected in the revised edition (not yet widely available) to reflect the fact that Steiner spoke only in Oslo.

In addition, the entire characterization of the contents of the eleven lectures is grossly incorrect. Despite claiming that "Most of chapters four and six. See pp. 74-81 in the English edition, for example, or pp. 102-110." will demonstrate the superiority of the Aryans, this thought is simply not contained there, as any reader can determine by examining the text themselves.

Daniel Hindes


----- Original Message -----
From: a..@ael...
To: anthroposophy_tomorrow@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 9:07 PM
Subject: Re: [anthroposophy_tomorrow] To Peter

Hi Patrick, you wrote:
"Yes, please respond truthfully to Sune's post."

Peter Staudenmaier:
I'm not sure what there is to respond to. Anyone with a map can determine for themselves whether Oslo is in Norway. Anyone with a copy of The Mission of the Folk Souls can determine for themselves whether they think Steiner's musings on racial character are racist. They can also very easily determine for themselves whether Steiner "mentions" root races in this book (and for those of you who don't have a copy at hand, here's a hint: the title of chapter 6 is "The Five Root Races of Mankind"). And so forth. What else would you like me to respond to?

Daniel:
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". The more I look into this, the more problems I am finding. You wrote:

Peter Staudenmaier in the first paragraph of Anthroposophy and Ecofascism:
"In June 1910 Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, began a speaking tour of Norway with a lecture to a large and attentive audience in Oslo. The lecture was titled "The Mission of Individual European National Souls in Relation to Nordic-Germanic Mythology." In the Oslo lecture and throughout his Norwegian tour Steiner presented his theory of "national souls" (Volksseelen in German, Steiner's native tongue) and paid particular attention to the mysterious wonders of the "Nordic spirit." The "national souls" of Northern and Central Europe were, Steiner explained, components of the "germanic-nordic sub-race," the world's most spiritually advanced ethnic group, which was in turn the vanguard of the highest of five historical "root races." This superior fifth root race, Steiner told his Oslo audience, was naturally the "Aryan race."

Problems:
Despite being in quotes, the phrase "Aryan race" is nowhere in the book.
Despite being in quotes, the pharse "root races" is nowhere in the book.
Despite being in quotes, the pharse "germanic-nordic sub-race" is nowhere in the book.
(Starting to see a pattern?)
Despite being in quotes, the pharse "Nordic spirit" is nowhere in the book.
The word "Aryan" is nowhere in the book.

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.

"In Oslo and throughout his Norwegian tour..."
Steiner never spoke outside of Oslo on that "tour", and gave only two lectures beyond the 11 printed in GA 121.

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

Daniel Hindes