To: <anthroposophy_tomorrow@yahoogroups.com>
References: <20040312192053.19740.qmail@web14422.mail.yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [anthroposophy_tomorrow] agreement and disagreement
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 03:00:39 -0500

Peter Staudenmaier:
Don't be silly. We haven't even begun to discuss all the texts where Steiner singles out the Jews as the primary embodiment of group-soulness. Take a look at The Universal Human, for example ("I have often pointed out that consciousness of this group-soulness existed preeminently among the ancient Hebrews." p. 10); or check out Das Hereinwirken geistiger Wesenheiten in den Menschen pp. 100-101 or 191-192.

Daniel:
It occurred to me that the problem with this specific example is that it refers to the ancient Hebrews. Since Peter does not have much of an understanding of Anthroposophy, he wouldn't know that to Steiner everything has it's proper place and time, and that for the ancient Hebrews, embodying the element of group-soulness was a very good thing, and high praise of the Hebrews. In Steiner's world-view, that time was the period (the pre-Christian era) where group-soul characteristics were proper, good, and healthy. 2000 to 2600 years later, Steiner considered a continuation of such a trend unhealthy. But if you don't have an understanding of Steiner's evolution of consciousness, you would miss this. A proper researcher, on the other hand, would take this into consideration.

Daniel Hindes