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Understanding the human being

Since the 20th century, the question arises whether man and his relationship to a divine being can be subject of scientific examination without reverting to attitudes from the days before the Enlightenment.

Anthroposophy is an attempt to answer this question positively.

Introduction

In the past, cultural and individual identity was largely shaped by means of the "great narratives" of humanity: myths of the world's coming into being, revelations and prophesies, and the original, primary sources endowing religion with its earliest foundations. In modern times, this has increasingly been substituted by nature-oriented “narrative”.

While the early form of identity building was lacking a scientific element existing independently from revelation and religion, the insight into mankind gained from nature reaches its limits when dealing with the question of the nature of the human being.

Since the 20th century, the question arises whether man and his relationship to a divine being can be subject of scientific examination without reverting to attitudes from the days before the Enlightenment.

Anthroposophy is an attempt to answer this question positively.

On the one hand, the capabilities acquired by means of modern development can also be broadened for the purposes of super-sensible research into the origin and evolution of the human being and the world, so that new "narratives" come about which build on the productive strength of the individual.

On the other hand, dealing with old narratives can contribute to a deeper understanding of the human being and to human tolerance and acceptance.