Download the article: Concerning Anthroposophical Research
Translation: Regina Brenner.
Where do you see the unsolved problems in anthroposophical research, and how about the verification of the research results?
I see unsolved problems in anthroposophical research in all fields. This lies in the nature of science in general, where each result immediately generates further research questions. I expect a large upswing of anthroposophical research in general, if we realize the research potential that is made possible through the established sections at the Free School for Spiritual Science. These are not limited special fields, but they lead to interdisciplinary questions. Rudolf Steiner has demonstrated this in an exemplary way in his lecture cycles, for example in the “Astronomical Course” (GA 323) and the “Pastoral Medicine Course” (GA 318). Only if different fields of research and experience cooperate, many problems (for example medical questions, social questions, pedagogical questions) can be worked upon deeply. We have to create the social conditions for the above, which means to awaken and stimulate the insight, that such is necessary. Presently we work upon this.
A next step could be to create a global network for funding of research, so that the specific people who are doing the practical work and know the questions, arising from real life, through their own experience, are enable to do research on these. They would do it together with other experienced professionals and they would be funded for this time through a mutual research fund. Anthroposophical research grows out of life and serves life. Therefore, for example, each Kindergarten is a place of research, if the teachers are offered the possibility to evaluate their experiences from time to time and reenter their professional work with new research questions. Anthroposophical research is not only an academic issue, although academic knowledge and skills are necessary to support such a global research culture at it living source as well as to present and incorporate the results within the scientific world. There are several ways in which the verifiability of these research results will be achieved: Either through developed evaluation methods, through observation of their consistency and fruitfulness in life; or, when it comes to pure spiritual science, it can happen through a conversation with others, who started from completely different points and have come to the same results.
Are you able to name three central present day problems, where anthroposophists should and could contribute more essentially to the solution than they presently do?
A top priority for me seems to be inner training and the question of self-development. I regret that we aren’t able enough yet to present the anthroposophical inner training more visibly in its fruitfulness and, in the social field, live it as an example. Here I see the biggest task for us all. The present day problems lie in the realm of human relations, the hindrances in development, the manifold forms of self-insult, resignation in life, in giving up, the doubt and despair in oneself and in life as well as the thousand-fold fears in view of our time situation and the next future. The only help here is a new learning to see and to grasp the possibilities of development that are potential in every human being and can be awakened. A further task field I see is turning more towards the needs of the unborn and the people approaching death. Here anthroposophy offers specifically far-reaching possibilities of understanding and work that must contribute to the overall culture for the well-being of the. people. As a third task, I think we have to definitely accomplish more in the realm of work organization and money. Here I see great tasks for the future.
Dr. Michaela Glöckler, born in 1946, studied medicine in Tubingen and Marburg, and pursued flirt her training as a pediatrician at the Community Hospital Herdecke and at the University Hospital in Bochum. Since 1988 she has directed the Medical Section at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland.