The Riddles of Philosophy: Presented in an Outline of its History - Softcover

Über die Autorinnen und Autoren

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner, 1861-1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe's scientific writings. Steiner termed his spiritual philosophy anthroposophy, meaning "wisdom of the human being." As an exceptionally developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern, universal "spiritual science" that is accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unbiased thinking. From his spiritual investigations, Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of numerous activities, including education (general and for special needs), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, Christianity, and the arts. There are currently thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and initiatives in other fields that involve practical work based on the principles Steiner developed. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of human beings, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods for personal development. He wrote some thirty books and delivered more than six thousand lectures throughout much of Europe. In 1924, Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches around the world.

Professor Fritz Carl August Koelln (1901) was born in Hamburg, Germany, He received his PhD magna cum laude in 1927 from Hasmburg University. After immigrating to the US, he taught German for many years at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where he gained a devoted following as an inspired teacher. The Koelln Room, where most German classes are taught at Bowdoin today, was dedicated in 1972 in his honor. He was also much-loved as the leader of an anthroposophic study group there for a number of years. He wrote articles and translated (with James Pettegrove) the classic The Philosophy of the Enlightment (1951).