The Threefold Social Order (eBook)

The Threefold Social Order

In the social ferment of postwar Europe in 1919, Steiner presented his ideas about reforming the basis of society in three fundamental, autonomous spheres: economic, political/rights, and cultural. For a short time he worked to bring his ideas into practical application but it soon became impossible to bring about a “threefold social order” and he withdrew from the outer work in this area. His ideas have been worked with over the decades since that time and have proved to be just as valid today as they were then. This volume is a presentation of Steiner’s central ideas on the threefold nature of the social organism.

C O N T E N T S:

Translator’s Preface

Foreword as to the Purpose of this Book

Preface to the New Edition of 1920

1. Nature of the Social Question In the Life of Modern Man
2. Meeting Social Needs
3. Capitalism and Creative Social Ideas (Capital and Human Labor)
4. International Aspects

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up (see right). 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. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner’s multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.

William Michael (Jens) Jensen has worked with SteinerBooks since 1995, beginning as a copyeditor, a job that quickly included putting together and maintaining our first website. In 2001, he moved to Montreal and worked long-distance for SteinerBooks there for fourteen years, assuming the additional tasks of designing books, covers, and catalogs. He currently lives and works in western Massachusetts.