Anthroposophy and the Accusation of Racism

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"No longer should the blood that runs through the ancestors be of sole account. From this point onward, what every single person achieves in one's soul shall count." -- Rudolf Steiner. The original subtitle of Steiner's Philosophy of Freedom (1894) -- "the basis for a modern worldview" -- indicates his aim to provide a foundation for contemporary individuals to understand their unique existence within the world. This spiritual perspective emerges from a modern scientific approach to knowledge. However, critics from various worldviews have misrepresented it since the early 1900s, labeling it as "dogmatic, irrational, anti-Enlightenment, racist..." Such claims raise questions for those familiar with Steiner's ideas, which promote a modern, inclusive, and rational framework that has yielded positive results. What are the roots of these accusations, and are they justified? In this work, Peter Selg, drawing from a deep understanding of Steiner's contributions and the historical context of twentieth-century European totalitarianism, tackles these inquiries directly. He explores the misconceptions surrounding Steiner's philosophy and its implications for contemporary thought, offering a comprehensive analysis of its significance and relevance today.