Returning from travels in war-torn Europe, Rudolf Steiner gives a stark impression of the disastrous conditions of the time, encouraging deeper esoteric work as a counter to the world situation. Speaking under the broad theme of human development in the light of Anthroposophy, he analyzes the gulf between contemporary culture and science--which he says are characterized by "narrow-mindedness, ignorance and ineptitude"--and a scientific approach to the spirit. Steiner is clear about the shortcomings of his followers, mentioning past failures and a continuing tendency toward sectarianism and...