The Rudolf Steiner Archive

Preface

[ 1 ] The following is the content of lectures given by me in Copenhagen in June of this year following the General Assembly of the Scandinavian Theosophical Society. What is said has therefore been said before an audience who are familiar with Spiritual Science or Theosophy. Therefore it also presupposes this acquaintance. It is built everywhere on the foundations given in my books "Theosophy" and "Secret Science". If someone should get hold of this writing who is not familiar with these premises, he would have to regard it as a curious outgrowth of mere fantasy. The books mentioned show the scientific basis for everything said here.

[ 2 ] Although the stenographic transcript of the lectures has been completely reworked by me, the intention at the time of publication was to retain the character that was given to the oral speech. This should be mentioned here in particular because it is generally my view that the form of statements intended for reading must be quite different from that used for oral speeches. I have also expressed this principle in all my earlier writings, insofar as they were intended for print. If this time I give these explanations more closely based on the oral word, it is because I have reasons to have this writing published at this particular time and an editing completely in accordance with the above principle would take a very long time.

Munich, August 20, 1911