Rudolf Steiner

The Philosophy of Freedom describes Rudolf Steiner's path to freedom. It contains the nonconformist ideals of his youth that result from his study of mathematics, science, and philosophy culminating in a philosophy of life founded upon individualistic truth and ethical individualism. This is the first English translation and the only one sanctioned by Rudolf Steiner himself. Joint translators Prof. and Mrs. R. F. Alfred Hoernle were selected for their outstanding qualifications. First published in 1916, it is based on the original 1894 German Die Philosophie der Freiheit. Other translations have been based on the 1918 revised German edition. It includes inspiring passages about individualism that were removed from the book in 1918 and are missing in later translations: We no longer believe that there is a norm to which we must all strive to conform. If only we probe deep enough into the very heart of our being, there dwells something noble, something worthy of development.

The Philosophy of Freedom

Evil Lizzard

This book is my favourite book; my desert island book. I can't get enough of reading it. It's amazing. Both its premise - the boldness of it - as well as the language (which is so crisp and clear that every other book seems tedious and unintelligent in comparison) continue to amaze me.

I got really angry at this book, twice.

I got really angry when I first read it. (I was so angry I very literally threw this book against a wall and vowed to never open its pages again.) It seemed to mock me on every page. 
It wasn't after I overcame my senseless rage and realized this isn't a book that can be read with intellectual, analytic distance, that I was able to pick the book up again and start over. 
This book needs, demands, to be read as a workbook. You need to live this book. You need to open your mind far enough to alow yourself to jump through every hoop that the author places before you. Only then will you be rewarded by a spectacularly simple, yet spectacularly profound new view on life and your place within it, that it continues to blow my mind - daily.

The second time that I got really angry was when I finished this book. I realized I would probably never again read a masterpiece like this. 

It is an absolute understatement to say I love this book. I can't recommend this book highly enough. But don't make the same mistake I did. Don't keep an intellectual distance. Plunge in and let it change you, I dare you.

The Philosophy of Freedom

Reviews