Philosophy of Freedom - Structure

Structure

In the first part of the Philosophy of Freedom, Steiner discusses freedom in thinking, and the question of thinking's reliability as a means to knowledge, i.e. the epistemology of freedom. In the second part of the book, which depends on the first, he examines the conditions necessary for freedom of action. This twofold structure partly parallels Hegel's description of freedom: "Ethical life is the Idea of freedom as the living good which has its knowledge and volition in self-consciousness, and its actuality through self-conscious action."

However, Steiner differs from Hegel in an essential way: Steiner finds the activity of thinking to be something much greater and more real than the ideas that crystallize out of that activity:

"My remarks concerning the self-supporting and self-determined nature of thinking cannot...be simply transferred to concepts. I make special mention of this, because it is here that I differ from Hegel, who regards the concept as something primary and original. -- end of first paragraph, Chapter 4, The Philosophy of Freedom

Steiner seeks to demonstrate that inner freedom is achieved when we bridge the gap between our perception, which reflects the outer appearance of the world, and our cognition, which gives us access to the inner structure of the world. He suggests that outer freedom arises when we bridge the gap between our ideals and the constraints of external reality, letting our deeds be inspired by the moral imagination.