Robert McDermott & Matt Segall on Rudolf Steiner’s 12 Ways of seeing the world

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2 responses to “Robert McDermott & Matt Segall on Rudolf Steiner’s 12 Ways of seeing the world”

1. 

   Milliern

   November 23, 2019

   Wonderful discussion, and very fitting for its integral nature. I really liked how you played on the polarities of the diagram. I think Rick’s reflection was a natural follow-up to what the two of you were building in the presentation, that each one of us, as non-dogmatic, integrating vessels assimilate and blend certain amounts of each of these views. Even for a non-dogmatic individual, who strongly identifies as one of these, it is not hard to suggest the appellation of one of these other worldview categories, visible in their thought.

   I am very much drawn to Robert’s thought that idealism is the real(ism). I’ve been going back and force on this, as I read Whitehead’s “Process and Reality.” “Substance” is no longer a category that is required for Whitehead’s philosophical framework, so I’ve been going back and forth: is it really worthwhile to talk about the “Urstoff” nature of things’ composition? I don’t remember you having mentioned a particular affinity toward idealism, but you have discussed “holographic enfolding” in an advanced seminar lecture on Whitehead, which possibly implies the informatic nature of everything. “Informatic” is maybe a different way to say that we live in an idealistic world, though removing the priority of Plato’s ideality of the forms. So this is what I’m caught between, in reading Whitehead: no substance or is the world informatic/idea-laden.

   I really appreciate your work to make this content accessible. It’s really beautiful and amazingly interesting content. Many thanks.

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2. 

   Tom Mellett

   October 9, 2023

   Hello Matt! What a delightful surprise for me to see the YouTube image of you sitting next to Bob McDermott! It suddenly triggered a vivid memory of me sitting just like you next to Bob in a study group on “The Philosophy of Freedom” that took place 42 years ago in NYC at the venerable Library of the Anthroposophical Society located at 211 Madison Ave. just one long and one short block from the Empire State Building.

   At the time, I was teaching the physics and chemistry main lessons at the Garden City, Long Island Waldorf High School (actually still part of the Adelphi University campus) and would commute into the city every week for the study group.

   The last time I saw Bob in the flesh was in 1987 at the Rudolf Steiner Summer Institute then located on the Thomas College campus in Waterville, Maine. I was part of an “avant-garde anthroposophical” (I know! What an oxymoron!) theater troupe from Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento. We put on a Samuel Beckett Festival, performing scenes from Godot and some of his later works that involve old men crossing the threshold into the bardo (OK, kama loka).

   I still appreciate Bob’s positive review and endorsement of our performances in the face of the shocked and offended reactions of so many of the traditionalist Anthropops & moms.

   (If you’re interested, I can relate the story of how Beckett was introduced to anthroposophy in the early 60s by a husband and wife — both anthroposophical medical doctors — who were personal friends of Beckett. Through them, I was able to have a direct snail mail correspondence with Sammy in Paris who replied with a postcard where he summed up anthroposophy in a single sentence of 5 words! I call it my “Beckett haiku.”)

   So thank you for this unexpected but delightful trip down (etheric) memory lane. I assume you are still in touch with Bob now, and if you were to tell him that you have encountered me on the Internet, watch how he will roll his eyes and chuckle.

   Tom

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