In our time, the mystery of good and evil becomes ever more perplexing. Indeed, evil in our world today seems to be everywhere and on the increase, taking many forms. This course will explore what is entailed in what Rudolf Steiner has described as the most critical task facing human beings, now and in the future: understanding, overcoming, and transforming evil. This is a large and daunting task, one that, given the extent and force of modern evil, seems almost overwhelming. This is one of the evil consequences of evil itself, that it lames hope and saps the will to act. A first step in reaffirming hope and activating the will is to face the presence of evil and seek to understand better its origin and nature, in ourselves and in the world. That will be the aim of this course. We will be guided in our explorations by the work of Rudolf Steiner, as well as by the insights of others. A collection of reading materials will be available in the bookstore.

This course will have two emphases. We will first explore the nature of the modern, mechanistic way of knowing: its origins, appeal, consequences, and inner contradictions. We will then address the possibilities of a radical transformation of knowing, a transformation that can open to us the fullness of reality and to a future of genuine meaning and hope. We will draw upon the unique resources for such a transformation offered especially by Rudolf Steiner and Owen Barfield, as well as by other anthroposophical and non-anthroposophical thinkers.

Suggested Reading:

Rudolf Steiner, Lucifer and Ahriman;

R. Steiner, The Incarnation of Ahriman

Hans-Werner Schroeder, Necessary Evil: Origins and Purpose,

R. Steiner Love and Its Meaning in the World.