Abstract
Waldorf Steiner education is one of the most well-established and largest alternative education approaches in the world. This educational approach was created out of the anthroposophical worldview founded by Rudolf Steiner and relies on the teachings of Anthroposophy. However, the relationship between educational practice in Waldorf kindergartens and schools and the worldview behind it is complex and multifaceted, both from the internal point of view of those who work within Waldorf education and from the critical point of view of external researchers. Indeed, Waldorf education has been criticized and attacked in many ways over the years, particularly for this reason.
In this article, I attempt to throw light on this connection and explain it from different perspectives. First, I briefly present Rudolf Steiner’s life path and teachings, that is, the anthroposophical worldview. I then show how Steiner, viewed the connection between Anthroposophy and Waldorf education. Subsequently, I explain why and how this connection has been subject to criticism from various sides. Finally, I present two approaches that attempt to elucidate this connection and justify it in response to its critics.
Keywords: Waldorf Steiner education, Rudolf Steiner, Anthroposophy, ideology and education