Eco-Alchemy: Anthroposophy and the History and Future of Environmentalism

by Dan McKanan

Overview

For nearly a century, the worldwide anthroposophical movement has been a catalyst for environmental activism, helping to bring to life many modern ecological practices such as organic farming, community-supported agriculture, and green banking. Yet the spiritual practice of anthroposophy remains unknown to most environmentalists. A historical and ethnographic study of the environmental movement, Eco-Alchemy uncovers for the first time the profound influences of anthroposophy and its founder, Rudolf Steiner, whose holistic worldview, rooted in esoteric spirituality, inspired the movement. Dan McKanan shows that environmentalism is itself a complex ecosystem and that it would not be as diverse or as transformative without the contributions of anthroposophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520290051
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	10/31/2017
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dan McKanan is the Emerson Senior Lecturer at Harvard Divinity School and the author of several books on religion and social transformation, among them Touching the World: Christian Communities Transforming Society and Prophetic Encounters: Religion and the American Radical Tradition.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Ecology of Environmentalism

Seed
Rudolf Steiner’s Holistic Vision

Roots
Biodynamics and the Origins of Organic Agriculture

Branches
Anthroposophical Initiatives and the Growing Environmental Movement

Flowers
New Economies for Environmentalism

Fruit
The Broader Ecology of Camphill

Ecology
The Boundaries of Anthroposophy

Evolution
Anthroposophy’s Gifts to the Environmental Movement

Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

"As its name suggests Eco-Alchemy describes an intermixing and re-constituting of ideas and good intentions that have been emerging and manifesting themselves over the last hundred years. [...] The analysis offered in Eco-Alchemy presents a very respectful and balanced picture of anthroposophy and yet does not shy away from describing the shortcomings and errors which have occurred over the years, nor the need to change, transform itself and learn from other progressive movements. It is an important work that should be widely available particularly to those undertaking a study of environmental philosophy."

Camphill Pages

"This is an exemplary book and a cause for celebration: a judicious, balanced, and well-informed discussion of Rudolf Steiner’s work."

Nature and Culture Journal for the Study of Religion

"Eco-Alchemy is a welcome contribution to the study of esotericism and the history of environmentalism, both for its unique insights and for his attention to the influence of esoteric thought and practice on popular culture."

Journal for the Study of Esotericism

Eco-Alchemy makes a solid case for the importance of anthroposophist initiatives to the evolution of modern environmentalism. . . . It deserves a wide readership among those interested in esoteric spirituality, environmental politics, and the controversial interaction between religion and public affairs.

Reading Religion

An especially timely book. . . . A valuable resource for students of new religions, environmentalism, agrarianism, organics, the western esoteric tradition, and, of course, Steiner’s unique addition to the world’s religious ecology. It is an important addition to scholarship on new religions. . . . A fine primer on the religion itself.

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