anthroposophy

anthroposophy
—anthroposophical /an'threuh peuh sof"i keuhl/, anthroposophic, adj.
/an'threuh pos"euh fee/, n.
a philosophy based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) which maintains that, by virtue of a prescribed method of self-discipline, cognitional experience of the spiritual world can be achieved.
[1910-15; < G Anthroposophie. See ANTHROPO-, -SOPHY]

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Philosophy based on the view that the human intellect has the ability to contact spiritual worlds.

It was formulated in the early 20th century by Rudolf Steiner and was influenced by theosophy. Steiner wanted to develop a faculty for spiritual perception independent of the senses, which he believed was latent in all human beings, and to this end he founded the Anthroposophical Society in 1912. Now based in Dornach, Switzerland, the society has branches worldwide.

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      philosophy based on the premise that the human intellect has the ability to contact spiritual worlds. It was formulated by Rudolf Steiner (Steiner, Rudolf) (q.v.), an Austrian philosopher, scientist, and artist, who postulated the existence of a spiritual world comprehensible to pure thought but fully accessible only to the faculties of knowledge latent in all humans. He regarded human beings as having originally participated in the spiritual processes of the world through a dreamlike consciousness. Because Steiner claimed that an enhanced consciousness can again perceive spiritual worlds, he attempted to develop a faculty for spiritual perception independent of the senses. Toward this end, he founded the Anthroposophical Society in 1912. The society, now based in Dornach, Switz., has branches around the world.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Anthroposophy — Anthroposophy, a philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner, postulates the existence of an objective, intellectually comprehensible spiritual world accessible to direct experience through inner development. More specifically, it aims to develop… …   Wikipedia

  • Anthroposophy — An thro*pos o*phy, n. [Gr. ? man + ? wisdom, knowledge.] Knowledge of the nature of man; hence, human wisdom. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • anthroposophy — [an΄thrō päs′ə fē, an΄thrəpäs′ə fē] n. a religious or mystical system or movement similar to theosophy, founded by Rudolf Steiner about 1912 anthroposophical [an΄thrə pō΄säf′i kəl, an΄thrəpəsäf′i kəl] adj …   English World dictionary

  • anthroposophy — noun Date: 1916 a 20th century religious system growing out of theosophy and centering on human development • anthroposophist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • anthroposophy — noun a) A spiritual philosophy that maintains that anyone who “conscientiously cultivates sense free thinking” can have insights into the spiritual world. b) Knowledge or understanding of human nature. Syn: spiritual science …   Wiktionary

  • anthroposophy — (Gk., wisdom about man) The Christian and occultist movement associated with Rudolph Steiner (1861–1925) stressing the cultivation of spiritual nature and the way to gain spiritual awareness of a higher world. Steiner founded a large number of… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • anthroposophy — knowledge of the nature of humanity; human wisdom Words of Wisdom …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • anthroposophy — n. philosophy which explains the world in terms of man s spiritual nature (based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • anthroposophy — [ˌanθrə pɒsəfi] noun a system established by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner that seeks to optimize physical and mental health and well being. Derivatives anthroposophical adjective Origin early 20th cent.: from anthropo + Gk sophia… …   English new terms dictionary

  • anthroposophy — an·thro·pos·o·phy …   English syllables

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