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This book is intended for people who have some knowledge of the work of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), the Austrian philosopher, scientist, educator, and seer who founded, among other endeavors, the Anthroposophical Society and the Waldorf School Movement; but I have tried to make it accessible to those who are new to anthroposophy. And if you have no specialist knowledge of physics or mathematics, don’t be scared when you see an equation – there are only a few and you can just read around them!

In Rudolf Steiner and the Atom Keith Francis explores the concept of the atom from ancient Greek times to contemporary quantum physics and relates this compelling but elusive concept to relevant statements by Rudolf Steiner. His discernment and intimate knowledge of his subject, honed and enlivened through his years as a Waldorf physics teacher, transform what could be mental drudgery into a fascinating re-evaluation of the enigmatic atom.

The title evokes the question of whether Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual-scientific research can shed any meaningful light on what might be deemed the most materialistic of human pursuits. These antipodes of human striving are, in fact, intimately connected by the rigorous thinking, sheer intelligence and spiritual integrity that characterize them both. What is especially valuable about Keith’s work is that he is careful not to attempt an easy synthesis of points of view that are commonly regarded as worlds apart. If he does ‘go
out on a limb,’ he is fully conscious of doing so. He leaves us with many questions, but also with a more profound appreciation of this challenging theme and its critical importance for us today.

Available in print from Steiner Books