After developing the Foundations of Human Experience from a psychological point of view in the four previous days, Rudolf Steiner now on the sixth day changes perspective to contemplate the human being from a spiritual point of view. Here thinking, feeling and willing come into view in their connection with states of consciousness. As he develops the themes, it becomes clear that the basis is laid here for what he later explains in the following methodological-didactic lecture on pedagogy from a deeper view of life. It is exciting to see what cross-references there are in the three events of this day, how topics are made concrete in didactically appropriate ways, taken up anew and metamorphosed. The developing human being can be grasped only by a fine, deep observation in such a way that he becomes sustainable through the lessons designed on this basis. Rudolf Steiner‘s examination of experimental psychology at the time is also interesting, an examination that is topical today in a new guise. His explanations may help to restore common sense concerning the nature of the human being at a time of intellectualism.
Urs Dietler, born 1950 in Basel, lic. phil. I., studied philosophy and mathematics. He was a
long-standing teacher at the upper level of Swiss Rudolf Steiner schools, director of a curative education school and editor at the Rudolf Steiner Archive in Dornach, now active in adult education.
Translated by Douglas Gerwin
* 'The First Teachers Course' is the foundation of Waldorf Education with the notes from the lectures of Rudolf Steiner: 'The Foundations of Human Experience', 'Practical Advice to Teachers' and 'Discussions with Teachers'.