The Rudolf Steiner Archive

This edition of The Science of Knowing is a new translation of ‘Grundlinien einer Erkenntnistheorie der Goetheschen Weltanschauung mit besonderer Rücksicht auf Schiller’ (Bibliographie No. 2), 7th edition GAS 1979, published by the Rudolf Steiner Nachlassverwaltung, Dornach, Switzerland. Translation from the original German by William Lindeman. Another translation is available under the title A Theory of Knowledge, published by the Anthroposophic Press.

Cover design and lettering by Peter Stebbing. Cover form by Rudolf Steiner.

• Preface to the New Edition of 1924
• Foreword to the First Edition

A. Preliminary Questions

1. The Point of Departure
2. The Science of Goethe According to the Method of Schiller
3. The Task of Science

B. Experience

4. Definition of the Concept of Experience
5. An Indication as to the Content of Experience
6. Correction of an Erroneous Conception of Experience s a Whole
7. Calling upon the Experience of Every Single Reader

C. Thought

8. Thinking as a Higher Experience within Experience
9. Thinking and Consciousness
10. The Inner Nature of Thinking

D. Science

11. Thought and Perception
12. Intellect and Reason
13. The Act of Knowing
14. The Ground of Things and the Activity of Knowing

E. The Activity of Knowing Nature

15. Inorganic Nature
16. Organic Nature

F. The Humanities

17. Introduction: Spirit and Nature
18. Psychological Knowing Activity
19. Human Spiritual Activity (Freiheit)
20. Optimism and Pessimism

G. Conclusion

21. The Activity of Knowing and Artistic Creativity

• Notes to the New Edition, 1924