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This book, written in 1894, is a fundamental treatment of Steiner's philosophical outlook. Together with Truth and Science and The Riddles of Philosophy it might be considered as one third of a philosophical trilogy. The emphasis of the book is not on “freedom” as ordinarily understood, but is on “freiheit” or what might be termed freeness, or freehood. This freeness is a self-starting, self-directing activity of a spiritual sort. Here, the term “spiritual” is used in a sense not incompatible with the use of the word in the tradition of the German idealistic school of philosophy. It was originally published in German as, Die Philosophie der Freiheit. Grundzuege einer modernen Weltanschauung. Seelische Beobachtungsresultate nach naturwissenschaftlicher Methode.

Chapter titles include:
    Knowledge of Freedom
        Conscious Human Action
        The Fundamental Desire for Knowledge
        Thinking in the Service of Knowledge
        The World as Percept
        The Act of Knowing
        Human Individuality
        Are There Limits to Knowledge?
        
    The Reality of Freedom
        The Factors of Life
        The Idea of Freedom
        Freedom-Philosophy and Monism
        World Purpose and Life Purpose
            (The Ordering of Man's Destiny)
        Moral Imagination
            (Darwinism and Morality)
        The Value of Life
            (Optimism and Pessimism)
        Individuality and Genus
        
    Ultimate Questions
        The Consequences of Monism

Known Publications:

• Die Philosophie der Freiheit. Grundzuege einer modernen Weltanschauung. Seelische Beobachtungsresultate nach naturwissenschaftlicher Methode, German language editions: 1894, 1918, 1921, 1929, 1936, 1936, 1940, 1947, 1949, 1949, 1955, 1962, 1973, 1978, 1995 ISBN 3-7274-0040-4,
• The Philosophy of Freedom, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and London, 1916, translated from the German edition of 1894 by Mr. and Mrs. R. F. A. Hoernle
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and London, 1922, 382 pp., translated from the 2nd German edition of 1918 by Prof. and Mrs. R. F. A. Hoernle with possible help from Dr. Hermann Poppelbaum
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and London, 1932, 318 pp., translated from the German by Prof. and Mrs. R. F. A. Hoernle with possible help from Dr. H. Poppelbaum
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, Rudolf Steiner Press, London, and Anthroposophic Press, New York, 1939, 260 pp., translated from the German by Prof. and Mrs. R. F. A. Hoernle and Dr. H. Poppelbaum
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, Rudolf Steiner Press, London, 1949, 220 pp., translated from the German by Prof. and Mrs. R. F. A. Hoernle and Dr. Hermann Poppelbaum
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, Rudolf Steiner Publications, West Nyack, New York, 1963, 1980, 285 pp., translated from the 2nd German edition of 1918 by Rita Stebbing. This edition is bound together with Truth and Science.
• The Philosophy of Freedom, Rudolf Steiner Press, London, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1979, 230 pp., translated from the 12th German edition of 1962 by Michael Wilson
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, Anthroposophic Press, Spring Valley, N. Y., 1986, translated from the German by William Lindemann ISBN 0-88010-157-1, Cloth ISBN 0-88010-156-3, Paper
• The Philosophy of Freedom: A Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, Rudolf Steiner Press, London, 1989, translated from the German by Rita Stebbing ISBN 0-85440-736-7, Cloth ISBN 0-85440-746-4, Paper ISBN 0-85584-000-6, Cloth
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, Garber Communications, Blauvelt, N. Y., ISBN 0-89345-030-8, Paper
• Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path, A Philosophy of Freedom, Anthroposophic Press, Hudson NY, 1995, translated from the German by M. Lipson ISBN 0-88010-385-X, Paper
• The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity, Reprinted by Kessinger Publ.

GA 4 / Bn 4 / CW 4 ... Selections ...

Die Philosophie der Freiheit

Das grundlegende Werk Steiners über das Erkennen und die menschliche Freiheit. Die Philosophie der Freiheit beweist, daß der Mensch der Freiheit — des selbstbestimmten Denkens und Handelns — fähig ist. Die Philosophie der Freiheit ist mehr als ein philosophisches Buch: sie ist ein Schulungsweg, der den Leser zur Erfahrung des lebendigen Denkens und zur Bewußtwerdung seines Geistes führt. Aus der Selbsterkenntnis des menschlichen Geistes geht eine Erneuerung des Handelns und damit der Welt hervor.

Die Philosophie der Freiheit (our original German presentation)

Das grundlegende Werk Steiners über das Erkennen und die menschliche Freiheit. Die Philosophie der Freiheit beweist, daß der Mensch der Freiheit — des selbstbestimmten Denkens und Handelns — fähig ist. Die Philosophie der Freiheit ist mehr als ein philosophisches Buch: sie ist ein Schulungsweg, der den Leser zur Erfahrung des lebendigen Denkens und zur Bewußtwerdung seines Geistes führt. Aus der Selbsterkenntnis des menschlichen Geistes geht eine Erneuerung des Handelns und damit der Welt hervor. Die deutsche Ausgabe wurde gestiftet von: Lorenzo Ravagli (Lorenzo.Ravagli@munich.netsurf.de).

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The Philosophy of Freedom

This is the first English translation and the only one sanctioned by Rudolf Steiner himself. Joint translators Prof. and Mrs. R. F. Alfred Hoernlé were selected for their outstanding qualifications. First published in 1916, it is based on the original 1894 German Die Philosophie der Freiheit Other translations have been based on the 1918 revised German edition. It includes inspiring passages about individualism that were removed from the book in 1918 and are missing in later translations: “We no longer believe that there is a norm to which we must all strive to conform. Nothing is accepted as valid, unless it springs from the roots of individuality. The saying ‘Each one of us must choose his hero in whose footsteps he toils up to Olympus’ no longer holds for us. If only we probe deep enough into the very heart of our being, there dwells something noble, something worthy of development.“

The Philosophy of Freedom

Steiner's groundbreaking philosophical work on the nature of freedom and thinking. This edition was published by Rudolf Steiner Press, London, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1979, with 230 pp. This seventh English edition, was translated from the 12th German edition of 1962, and with an Introduction by Michael Wilson.

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Philosophy of Spiritual Activity

This edition was published by Rudolf Steiner Publications, Inc., New York, 1963, with 411 pp. It is translated from the 2nd German edition of 1918 by Rita Stebbing, and is bound together with Truth and Knowledge.

Philosophy of Spiritual Activity

This edition was published by Rudolf Steiner Publications, London, 1949, with 220 pp. It is the sixth edition, based on the original authorized Translation by Prof. and Mrs. R. F. Alfred Hoernlé, revised and amended by Hermann Poppelbaum, Phil.D.

Philosophy of Spiritual Activity

This volume is a translation of Die Philosophie der Freiheit, published by the Anthroposophic Press, New York. The German volume is number four in the Collected Edition of Rudolf Steiner's works. It was translated by William Lindeman. The cover Graphic Form is by Rudolf Steiner (originally as a study for the book Truth and Science). Layout and lettering by Peter Stebbing.

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La Filosofia de La Libertad

La Filosofía de la Libertad demuestra la realidad del libre albedrío — la habilidad para pensar y actuar independientemente — una posibilidad fundamental para desarrollar la conciencia moderna. Leída propiamente, lleva al lector a la posibilidad de experimentar el pensar vivo — una nueva forma de pensar — por la que toda actividad humana puede renovarse. Este ofrecimiento es una traducción basada en la 12 edición alemana. Traducción: Blanca S. de Muniaín y Antonio Aretxabala. Me gustaría agradecer su colaboración y apoyo a: Fernando Pulido, Javier Warleta, Isabel Novillo, Lola López de Cuéllar, Jaime Padró, Ignacio Acuña. La edición en es español fue donada por: Antonio Aretxabala (aretxaba@unav.es).

Книга: Философия свободы

Фундаментальный труд о признании Штайнера и свободы человека. Философия свободы доказывает, что человеческие существа свободы - независимые мысли и действия - это способен. Философию свободы, это больше, чем философские книги: это обучение путь, который ведет читателя к опыту живую мысль и сознание в своем уме. От себя человеческого духа исходит возобновление действия и, следовательно, мира.

A szabadság filozófiája

Az antropozófia a XX. század keresõ embere elõtt új szellemi világ- és emberképet tár föl, kapcso­lódik az emberiség õsi bölcsességéhez, azonban a keleti tradíciókkal ellentétben a nyugati szellemi életben gyökerezik, és középpontjában a Krisztus-eszmény áll. Így iskolájának módszere is - az ember morális fejlesztése mellett - a nyugati gondolkodásból sarjad. A gondolkodás világprincípi­um, teremtõ erõ, melynek realitása van. Steiner szellemtudományos kutatási eredményei a gyakor­latban az élet számos területén mutatkoznak; így például a nevelésben (Waldorf iskolák), a gyógy­ászatban és gyógypedagógiában, a mûvészetben (építészet, festészet, eurythmia, beszéd-formálás, stb.) éppúgy a mezõgazdaságban (biodinamikus metódus) és a társadalmi élet területén (a szociális organizmus hármas tagozódása).

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Self-Observation An Introduction to Rudolf Steiner's “Philosophy of Spiritual Activity”

Dr. Steiner's “Philosophy of Spiritual Activity” holds a unique place in his life-work. It may justifiably be regarded as the gateway to “Anthroposophy.” It is the modern thinking man's pathway to complete certainty about his own spiritual being. ... Whoever reads this little commentary will find himself well on the way to a grasp of what Dr. Steiner has to say; and when he goes on to work at the “Philosophy of Spiritual Activity” itself, he will find in these pages continual stimulus and helpfulness.

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Side by Side Compare

The books in this area can be compared side by side in the same browser window. Select any combination of chapters, prefaces, appendixes, etc., from any of the editions found here.

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Relevant Links:

1. 自由的哲学 (Philosophy of Freedom in Chinese)