'Hence we must subject these two concepts to a discussion. The mechanistic explanation of nature needs for the assumption of its world of atoms, besides the atoms in motion absolute space as well, that is, an empty vacuum, and an absolute time, that is, an unalterable measure of the One-After-Another. But what is space? Absolute... read more...
The clear thinking of the young Rudolf Steiner identifies the relevant elements from a mass of thoughts about atomistic concepts and finds (in 1882) that the atom is seen as the only principle of reality. It underlies all material and sensual qualities, but has no qualities itself. It is not spatial and is undefined; it is just ... read more...
'However opinions may diverge in the detail, atomism ultimately amounts to regarding all sensory qualities, such as: tone, warmth, light, scent, and so on, indeed, if one considers the way thermodynamics derives Boyle's law, even pressure, as mere semblance, mere function of the world of atoms. Only the atom counts as ultimate f... read more...
If we compare these sentences with those from Rudolf Steiner's later life, the sentences that bear the title: Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts, we find the alteration, the remodeling, the spiritual meaning of this early essay by Rudolf Steiner. We then see how the sensual-perceptible world is an image, just the work, of the div... read more...
In the next piece of text taken from the article 'Only possible critique of the atomistic concepts' by Rudolf Steiner, the principle of knowledge based on experience is formulated once again in very clear sentences. In this article of the still very young Steiner the wonderful musicality of the composition is already there. He p... read more...