The Redemption pf Thinking
A Study in the Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas
3 lectures by Rudolf Steiner

In the lecture series, The Redemption of Thinking, Rudolf Steiner traces the changes in the soul’s experience from the last stages of visionary experience which can still be found in the early Christian centuries, through to the visionless, conceptual reasoning and materialistic outlook of today, and then points to the reawakening of a visionary, spiritual consciousness, activated by transcendent thought which can begin to recognize the illuminating force of Christ in human consciousness, beginning in the twentieth century.

He explores the dichotomy between the inspired visionary consciousness and individual judgment, discrimination and reason which began to be experienced in such souls as Augustine; the continued development of the latter into the conceptual struggles of mediaeval Scholasticism; and the reconciliation between Augustinian faith-based theology and the power of Aristotelian philosophy through the deeply contemplative work of Thomas Aquinas.

This progression culminates in the consciousness, of which Steiner himself is both a representative as well as a catalyst for others, where forces inherent in modern thought, which are as yet are only stirring dimly in a few, are strengthened and heightened (clarified or purified) to the point where pure intuitions are experienced perceptually within the realm of thought. This experience is a ‘threshold’ experience for modern consciousness and is the basis for the awakening of modern consciousness into the spiritual realms – a fully self-conscious experience of the realms which humanity experienced in the distant past in only a dim and instinctive way.

Trans. A. P. Shepherd and M. R. Nicoll
3 lectures, Dornach 22-24 may 1920, GA74
Anthroposophic Press
191pp; paperback
ISBN: 0 88010 044 3

See also: Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) called his spiritual philosophy 'anthroposophy', which he defined as 'the consciousness of one's humanity', and the disciplined methods of studying this he termed ‘spiritual science’.  As a highly developed clairvoyant and spiritual initiate, he spoke from his direct cognition of the spiritual world. However, he did not see his work as religious or sectarian, but rather sought to found a universal 'science of the spirit'.

His many published works (written books and lectures) - which include his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development - invite readers to develop their own spiritual faculties.  He also provided indications for the renewal of many human activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, religion and the arts. He wrote some 30 books and delivered over 6000 lectures across Europe, and in 1924 founded the General Anthroposophical Society which today has branches throughout the world.

 

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