Spiritual Science
What Is This?
Q. I have heard Waldorf teachers speak of "spiritual science" or "scientific knowledge of the spirit." What do they mean?
In the Waldorf context, "spiritual science" is Rudolf Steiner' system of spiritual investigation — in essence, it is Anthroposophy. Other descriptors for it are "occult science" and "esoteric science." [1]
The basic premise is that by using what Steiner called "exact clairvoyance," we can gain objective, provable knowledge of the spirit realm. The great problem is that, as far as anyone actually knows, there is no such thing as clairvoyance [2] and thus no system based on clairvoyance has 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 false.
The fundamental problem, aside from the fraudulent claim that clairvoyance works, is the deeply antiscientific bent of Anthroposophy. Steiner's teachings fly in the face of most real sciences [3], while Steiner's own practices were anything but scientific. [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'".
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For more information, see
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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?".