Author: Peter Staudenmaier

Explore the complex relationship between anthroposophy, Waldorf education, and National Socialism, revealing surprising similarities that led to opposition.

Anthroposophical Spiritual Racism

Feb 19, 2012

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The foremost anthroposophical race theorist in Germany after Steiner’s death was Richard Karutz (1867-1945), a prominent Waldorf spokesman and supporter of Nazism. He participated in a seminar at the Goetheanum in 1920, moved from Lübeck to Stuttgart in 1921 to be closer to the center of anthroposophical activity in Germany, and moved again to Dresden…

Antisemitism: A Very Short Introduction

Mar 8, 2011

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Learn about the history of antisemitism in Central Europe and the challenges faced by Jews seeking emancipation in this insightful excerpt from Steven Beller’s book.

Steiner & Krishnamurti

Jan 23, 2009

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Explore the historical background of Rudolf Steiner’s rejection of Krishnamurti as the new World Teacher and delve into the racial ideologies at play in this crucial moment of theosophical history.

Steiner’s Early Nationalism

Jan 21, 2009

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Explore Rudolf Steiner’s early nationalist beliefs in Austria and their influence on his later spiritual teachings, as analyzed by Peter Staudenmaier.

Anthroposophy and Ecofascism

Jan 10, 2009

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Peter Staudenmaier (revised 2008) In June, 1910, Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, began a speaking tour of Norway with a lecture to a large and attentive audience in Oslo. The lecture series was titled “The Mission of National Souls in Relation to Nordic-Germanic Mythology.” In the Oslo lectures Steiner presented his theory of “folk…

The Janus Face of Anthroposophy

Jan 8, 2009

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In their response to Peter Waage, Peter Zegers and Peter Staudenmaier delve into the complexities of anthroposophy and challenge romanticized views.

Anthroposophists and Antisemitism in Fascist Italy

Jun 8, 2008

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By Peter Staudenmaier Posted to the waldorf-critics list June 8, 2008 Here’s a quick overview of my recent research. I spent last week in the state archive in Trieste, Italy to work through the surviving documents from an important antisemitic institute during the Fascist period, the “Center for the Study of the Jewish Problem” based…

The Art of Avoiding History

May 7, 2008

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In response to critiques of anthroposophy, this text argues that the movement has a historical record of authoritarianism, elitism, and racism.

English Summary of Peter Bierl’s “Pädagogik der runden Ecken”

Sep 12, 2007

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in Oversight & Abuse

Discover the various criticisms of Waldorf education in Germany by Peter Staudenmaier, addressing rejection of certain activities and ethnocentric content.

Bibliography on the Applicability of “Occultism” As a Description of Anthroposophy

Jul 20, 2006

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in Anthroposophy

On the waldorf-critics list, July 20, 2006 “Re: the meaning of occultism” Baandje wrote:The only time I hear the word “occult” used today, is in conjunctionwith some fundamentalist group and whatever it is they happen to takeexception to. […]In all my years of involvement with various spiritual groups andindividual seekers of the spirit, I honestly…

Race and Redemption: Racial and Ethnic Evolution in Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy

Oct 10, 2004

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by Peter Staudenmaier. Presented to the conference of the American Family Foundation, Atlanta, October 15, 2004. This article has been accepted by the University of California journal Nova Religio, and is not currently available from PLANS.

Waldorf in the Nazi era

Aug 6, 2004

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