From Social Illness to Social Health
Three Resources on Rudolf Steiner's Threefold Social Idea
From observing public life for a long time (I was born in 1950), I know our society is deeply embroiled in "left" vs "right" antagonisms, and am concerned this has moved more in the direction of cultural -or worse - warfare, than towards resolution. To describe this dynamic in brief :
That capital be placed in skillful hands, and that labor be intelligently organized are essential and necessary to all economic life. Use of capital to achieve power, control or insurmountable advantage over others, however, leads inevitably to harm, both to individuals and to society generally. These facts and causes of social harm were quite accurately diagnosed by Karl Marx, historically ; and generate widespread anger and resentment, even to this day. The hardship and injustice they cause draw adherents not just to communist and socialist movements but to cultural and religious resistance/rejection factions across the whole political spectrum.
The downside of these "against" movements, however, is that they invariably lack the skills economic life requires ; and when they gain control, consistently disrupt and damage it.
As an overview of materialistic approaches to capital and labor, again, they invariably cause harm, and find themselves locked into conflicts and rebellions by those they harm, literally without end.
For those who - naturally enough - are aggrieved by harm done to them, a different but equal unhealthy syndrome prevails : no sooner do they gain the upper hand, than their lack of skills and understanding undermines economic life, giving rise to yet further problems.
That a viable, differentiated middle way be found - a bridge fit to bear the full traffic of life in our world - is thus not just desirable today, but urgently needed.
I want to draw your to attention to a set of concepts most people have heard of only in passing, if at all ; namely, Rudolf Steiner's "threefold social idea", presented for the first time just over a hundred years ago. I've studied and lived with this idea myself for over 40 years, and feel it's important that it be better known.
The threefold idea was first presented, and I believe really should be considered as, a set of scientific observations and principles concerning human society ; and as such, potentially transparent to any thinking person of goodwill.
Seen in a scientific light, many conflicts we face don't in fact arise in the realm of politics, where they're fought over so fiercely ; so much as from misunderstanding of the basic needs and facts of human social life. Unity, so elusive in our world today, may be more possible than we think - it must only come from different directions than we think to look.
The first resource below is a short book on the threefold idea, systematically presented, but also accessible to any thinking lay person. The second is my own presentation, a series of eleven articles written over the last ten years.
Rudolf Steiner suggested that a yearning for a "threefold social order" already lives in human beings today, in the most widespread way - but only in our various needs in life, and thus only sub or unconsciously. He indicated such an order would begin to unfold immediately, as soon as enough people understood the threefold idea ; that they'd begin to apply its principles spontaneously in the smallest actions and decisions in their own lives ; and that a threefold order in its greater details would evolve organically from there.
Included among my own articles are more resources on this social idea. As a retired registered nurse, my ability to travel and speak on this subject, or develop university level courses on it may be limited - but Rudolf Steiner absolutely could have, and I also include one of his key works for your interest. I believe that in the right hands, the threefold idea could be worked up for presentation to the widest possible public - including also university level courses, from the freshman year on ; that if done well, these measures would evoke real interest and enthusiasm ; and that over time the threefold idea could have a powerful impact not just on how people think, but on how they live their lives. I hope you'll take an earnest look at this idea, and give it further circulation in your own community of thinkers and friends. I'm encouraged to think, and hope that this little seed will find good soil in you. To all who should eventually read and explore this material, your own thoughts and comments are welcome. Not least, if this threefold idea resonates with you, I hope you'll share it further !
Resources
A Way Forward : From Social Social illness to Social Health
The Fullness of Life : Eleven New Articles on Rudolf Steiner's Threefold Social Idea
The last resource I'll share here is Rudolf Steiner's own book, Towards Social Renewal", also known as "The Threefold Social Order". One of his core works on the threefold idea, I believe this is suitable for study even at the post graduate level. I include three ways to access it, with a note that those who present it for free also have expenses. Therefore, please donate as possible !
Buy Read for Free Read for Free
Article by : Jeff Smith RN (Retired)
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Three Resources on Rudolf Steiner's Threefold Social Idea
From observing public life for a long time (I was born in 1950), I know our society is deeply embroiled in "left" vs "right" antagonisms, and am concerned this has moved more in the direction of cultural -or worse - warfare, than towards resolution. To describe this dynamic in brief :
That capital be placed in skillful hands, and that labor be intelligently organized are essential and necessary to all economic life. Use of capital to achieve power, control or insurmountable advantage over others, however, leads inevitably to harm, both to individuals and to society generally. These facts and causes of social harm were quite accurately diagnosed by Karl Marx, historically ; and generate widespread anger and resentment, even to this day. The hardship and injustice they cause draw adherents not just to communist and socialist movements but to cultural and religious resistance/rejection factions across the whole political spectrum.
The downside of these "against" movements, however, is that they invariably lack the skills economic life requires ; and when they gain control, consistently disrupt and damage it.
As an overview of materialistic approaches to capital and labor, again, they invariably cause harm, and find themselves locked into conflicts and rebellions by those they harm, literally without end.
For those who - naturally enough - are aggrieved by harm done to them, a different but equal unhealthy syndrome prevails : no sooner do they gain the upper hand, than their lack of skills and understanding undermines economic life, giving rise to yet further problems.
That a viable, differentiated middle way be found - a bridge fit to bear the full traffic of life in our world - is thus not just desirable today, but urgently needed.
I want to draw your to attention to a set of concepts most people have heard of only in passing, if at all ; namely, Rudolf Steiner's "threefold social idea", presented for the first time just over a hundred years ago. I've studied and lived with this idea myself for over 40 years, and feel it's important that it be better known.
The threefold idea was first presented, and I believe really should be considered as, a set of scientific observations and principles concerning human society ; and as such, potentially transparent to any thinking person of goodwill.
Seen in a scientific light, many conflicts we face don't in fact arise in the realm of politics, where they're fought over so fiercely ; so much as from misunderstanding of the basic needs and facts of human social life. Unity, so elusive in our world today, may be more possible than we think - it must only come from different directions than we think to look.
The first resource below is a short book on the threefold idea, systematically presented, but also accessible to any thinking lay person. The second is my own presentation, a series of eleven articles written over the last ten years.
Rudolf Steiner suggested that a yearning for a "threefold social order" already lives in human beings today, in the most widespread way - but only in our various needs in life, and thus only sub or unconsciously. He indicated such an order would begin to unfold immediately, as soon as enough people understood the threefold idea ; that they'd begin to apply its principles spontaneously in the smallest actions and decisions in their own lives ; and that a threefold order in its greater details would evolve organically from there.
Included among my own articles are more resources on this social idea. As a retired registered nurse, my ability to travel and speak on this subject, or develop university level courses on it may be limited - but Rudolf Steiner absolutely could have, and I also include one of his key works for your interest. I believe that in the right hands, the threefold idea could be worked up for presentation to the widest possible public - including also university level courses, from the freshman year on ; that if done well, these measures would evoke real interest and enthusiasm ; and that over time the threefold idea could have a powerful impact not just on how people think, but on how they live their lives. I hope you'll take an earnest look at this idea, and give it further circulation in your own community of thinkers and friends. I'm encouraged to think, and hope that this little seed will find good soil in you. To all who should eventually read and explore this material, your own thoughts and comments are welcome. Not least, if this threefold idea resonates with you, I hope you'll share it further !
Resources
A Way Forward : From Social Social illness to Social Health
The Fullness of Life : Eleven New Articles on Rudolf Steiner's Threefold Social Idea
The last resource I'll share here is Rudolf Steiner's own book, Towards Social Renewal", also known as "The Threefold Social Order". One of his core works on the threefold idea, I believe this is suitable for study even at the post graduate level. I include three ways to access it, with a note that those who present it for free also have expenses. Therefore, please donate as possible !
Buy Read for Free Read for Free
Article by : Jeff Smith RN (Retired)
Please share this
page with friends !
Enter your best
email here :