Q. I have heard Steiner's followers speak of "spiritual science" or "scientific knowledge of the spirit." What do they mean?
In the context of Waldorf beliefs, "spiritual science" is Rudolf Steiner' system of spiritual investigation — in essence, it is Anthroposophy. Other terms for it are "occult science" and "esoteric science." [1]
The basic premise behind the concept of spiritual science is that by using what Steiner called "exact clairvoyance," we can gain objective, provable knowledge of the spirit realm. The great problem, however, is that as far as anyone actually knows there is no such thing as clairvoyance [2] and thus no system based on clairvoyance can have any validity.
Anthroposophists often claim that their system is unique in providing objective knowledge of spiritual matters (and for this reason they call their system a "science" rather than a religion). But in fact all religions make essentially the same claim — they all say they give accurate knowledge of spiritual matters; none says that its spiritual teachings are faulty or misleading.
There is another problem as well, aside from the fraudulent claim that clairvoyance works. This second problem is the deeply antiscientific bent of Anthroposophy. Steiner's teachings fly in the face of most real sciences [3], and Steiner's own practices were demonstrably unscientific. [4]
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[1] Other spiritual systems, such as Theosophy, use similar terms in referring to themselves. Thsu, for instance, Theosophy refers to itself as "spiritual science."
[2] See "Clairvoyance".
[3] For Steiner's views on various real sciences, see "Science".
[4] See "Steiner's 'Science'".
For more information, see
To consider the Waldorf approach to sciences in general, see "Sciences - Do Waldorf Schools Teach Them Well?".
To consider the Waldorf view of occult knowledge, see "Occult - What Can This Mean?".
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