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Foundations of Waldorf Education Series 20

Human Values in Education

(CW 310)

Paperback
March 2002
9780880105446
More details
  • Publisher
    SteinerBooks
  • Published
    1st March 2002
  • ISBN 9780880105446
  • Language English
  • Pages 224 pp.
  • Size 5.5" x 8.5"
$20.00

10 lectures, Arnheim, Holland,, July 17–24, 1924 (CW 310)

The underlying thesis of these lectures—volume 20 in the "Foundations of Waldorf Education" series—is that true education must be based on knowledge of the whole human being and that such knowledge cannot be attained without love. On this basis, Steiner presents his understanding of every aspect of child development-bodily, psychological, and spiritual.

At the same time, Steiner shows that, to prove worthy of their calling, teachers must begin a process of inner development. In his view, it is the human being who gives value and meaning to the world, but modern education is gradually undermining this fact. These lectures demonstrate that education can heal such a lack of meaning and restore the value of human beings for the world.

Steiner also discusses the practical, day-to-day operation of the school. He talks about styles of teaching, teacher conferences, parent-teacher meetings, and how Waldorf education is related to the anthroposophic movement.

This book, while serving as a good introduction to Steiner's ideas on education, also represents the fruits of four years experience in the Waldorf school.

Translated from Rudolf Steiner’s Der pädagogische Wert der Menschenerkenntnis und der Kulturwert der Pädagogik (GA 310), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, 1989.

C O N T E N T S:

Introduction by Christopher Bamford

1. The Need for Understanding the Human Being
2. Incarnation of the Human Being in a Physical Body
3. Walking, Speaking, Thinking
4. The Three Stages of Childhood
5. Teachers’ Conferences in Waldorf Schools
6. Parent-Teacher Meetings
7. The Temperaments and the Human Organism
8. Art & Language Education
9. Renewing Education
10. Education & the Anthroposophic Movement

Index

Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner, 1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. Steiner termed his spiritual philosophy anthroposophy, meaning “wisdom of the human being.” As an exceptionally developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern, universal “spiritual science” that is accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unbiased thinking. From his spiritual investigations, Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of numerous activities, including education (general and for special needs), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, Christianity, and the arts. There are currently thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and initiatives in other fields that involve practical work based on the principles Steiner developed. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of human beings, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods for personal development. He wrote some thirty books and delivered more than six thousand lectures throughout much of Europe. In 1924, Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches around the world.