The Observation of Thinking

By means of the method of self-observation we want to investigate concrete thinking processes and everything what is connected to those, the whole area in our consciousness which revolves around thinking. This method of self-observation (introspection) was used by Steiner in his early writings and by psychologists who were working in his time, and is used again by contemporary psychologists (for example dialogical introspection and Claire Petitmengin) to investigate thinking and other inner phenomena. The goal is to research human consciousness with psychological means. This way of investigating human consciousness, like Michael Muschalle shows in his publications, is exactly what Steiner envisaged, however during his life it was not possible for Steiner to investigate this field in a detailed way by means of the introspective method. In the contemporary anthroposophic research community, this project has not been sufficiently addressed. We are dealing here with the foundations of anthroposophy and therefore this project is crucially important to ensure strong foundations for this young science, and to ensure that anthroposophy gains sufficient self-understanding. But it is also important for the science of psychology to renew its investigation of psychological phenomena by means of an empiric, qualitative method, which is exactly what the introspective method provides. By means of this project we want to make sure and steady progress. Investigating the whole area of thinking – and we have a very broad conception of this area – in a single project is definitely not manageable. We have formulated a set of very concrete questions, in line with where and how contemporary psychology and anthroposophy are positioned in terms of research nowadays. Proceeding in this way, we want to make a concrete beginning and show other researchers that such a project is highly useful and necessary. We are dealing here with an area that has been barely researched, a new ‘continent’: the reality of inner, psychological phenomena which is ready and waiting to be investigated with empirical means.

As a basis for this kind of research, the following scientists and authors are especially relevant: Franz Brentano, Johannes Volkelt, Rudolf Steiner, Johannes Walter Stein, Oswald Külpe, Karl Bühler, Wilhelm Dilthey, August Messer, Narziß Ach, Paul Ziche, Werner Moser, Jost Schieren, Renatus Ziegler, Gerhard Kleining, Thomas Burkard, Claire Petitmengin and others.

Objectives

• A research project with concrete questions and experimental investigations about observation of thinking, lasting for one year.
• The research project, summarized in a concrete way, can be found here:
https://denkbeobachtung.eu/documents/forschungsprojekt.pdf

Intended Audience

• If you are interested in self-observation and psychology, and in thinking, you will find value in this project.
• If you are interested in theory of knowledge and philosophy of freedom, and in methodological questions about Steiner’s work and anthroposophy, then you will find interesting research possibilities and results here.

• In order to gain a better understanding of thinking, as a concrete process, something we all know and execute on a daily basis; a better understanding of our own consciousness in general.
• In order to gain a better understanding of the foundations of anthroposophy. The whole field which is positioned between psychology of thinking and anthroposophically orientated spiritual science is embarked upon here (see: GA 21, About the Riddles of the Human Soul).
• In order to gain a better understanding of the anthroposophic path of spiritual schooling, which builds on the foundation of the scientific, modern thinking we are all familiar with nowadays.
• Steiner’s theory of knowledge and philosophy of freedom presents itself as the foundation of anthroposophy. In retrospect, Steiner often stated that his work was left unfinished (letter to Rosa Meyreder, remarks in About the Riddles of the Human Soul). We want to contribute to the further completion of this work.
• In order to understand how Rudolf Steiner achieved his research results by means of spiritual science. The prior condition for understanding how Steiner made his discoveries, is to become aware of the methods he employed and the difficulties linked to these. The methods were: approaching fundamental texts on a solid scientific basis, the method of self-observation (introspection) and the anthroposophical path of spiritual schooling.
• By proceeding in this manner, to gain additional grounds for justifying further research paths taken by anthroposophy. Generally speaking: knowledge theory, as a special development of scientific theory, presents itself as the means to justify all other branches of science, because findings in all other branches of science are made by means of knowledge. If the foundations of the knowledge process are unclear, then individual scientists are totally ignorant about their own, most basic methods.

In our case, the proceeds from crowdfunding will be used to release Merijn Fagard from the need to provide an income for the period of one year, so he can dedicate himself to investigating questions about the observation of thinking and, practically, can set up a range of psychological experiments with test subjects. Another part of the proceeds – the smaller amount – will go to creating reward-packages for supporters of the project, insofar that books need to be printed and shipping costs arise.