Herbert Witzenmann
Encyclopedia
Herbert Witzenmann was a German philosopher and anthroposophist.
. In the 1930s Witzenmann studied with Karl Jaspers
in Heidelberg. His thesis On the Concept of Work According to Nietzsche and Hegel could, however, no longer be accepted because of Jasper's forced exile under the National Socialists. Evidence for Jasper's acceptance of Witzenmann's promotion candidacy has not been presented. According to Witzenmann his dissertation manuscript was destroyed by fire due to phospor bombings of Pforzheim by U.S. airplanes in World War II
.
After studies in mechanical engineering, Witzenmann was employed by the family firm in Pforzheim for many years. Witzenmann expressed his regret that he had refused to attend lunch held at his family home by his father for Adolf Hitler, who sought financial support for his political ambitions. Witzenmann had refused to attend out of protest against Hitler. In retrospect, Witzenmann regretted not having met Hitler because of the latter's later most destructive historical role.
In 1963 Witzenmann was "co-opted" as a member by the Executive Committee of the General Anthroposophical Society
. Several years later Witzenmann was de facto fired, because he refused to accept a new policy advocated by the majority of this Committee regarding the Rudolf Steiner Nachlassverwaltung. His door key literally no longer fit the lock to his office at the Goetheanum after being changed after he walked out of an annual General Assembly meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in protest. In 1973 he founded the "Seminar for the free Striving of Youth, Art and Social Order" in Dornach, Switzerland.
His work has been published by the Gideon Spicker Verlag, Verlag Freies Geistesleben, and Rudolf Steiner Press. His work (along with that of Georg Kühlewind
, Friedemann Schwarzkopf, and Massimo Scaligero
) is believed by some to be among the most significant in furthering Rudolf Steiner's work in The Philosophy of Freedom
, and had considerable influence on Jonael Schickler
.
Career
Witzenmann received his decisive study and work impulses through personal conversations with Rudolf SteinerRudolf Steiner
Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist. He gained initial recognition as a literary critic and cultural philosopher...
. In the 1930s Witzenmann studied with Karl Jaspers
Karl Jaspers
Karl Theodor Jaspers was a German psychiatrist and philosopher who had a strong influence on modern theology, psychiatry and philosophy. After being trained in and practicing psychiatry, Jaspers turned to philosophical inquiry and attempted to discover an innovative philosophical system...
in Heidelberg. His thesis On the Concept of Work According to Nietzsche and Hegel could, however, no longer be accepted because of Jasper's forced exile under the National Socialists. Evidence for Jasper's acceptance of Witzenmann's promotion candidacy has not been presented. According to Witzenmann his dissertation manuscript was destroyed by fire due to phospor bombings of Pforzheim by U.S. airplanes in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After studies in mechanical engineering, Witzenmann was employed by the family firm in Pforzheim for many years. Witzenmann expressed his regret that he had refused to attend lunch held at his family home by his father for Adolf Hitler, who sought financial support for his political ambitions. Witzenmann had refused to attend out of protest against Hitler. In retrospect, Witzenmann regretted not having met Hitler because of the latter's later most destructive historical role.
In 1963 Witzenmann was "co-opted" as a member by the Executive Committee of the General Anthroposophical Society
Anthroposophical Society
The General Anthroposophical Society is an organization dedicated to supporting the community of those interested in the form of spiritual philosophy known as anthroposophy. The society was initiated during 1913 by members of the Theosophical Society in Germany, including Rudolf Steiner who was at...
. Several years later Witzenmann was de facto fired, because he refused to accept a new policy advocated by the majority of this Committee regarding the Rudolf Steiner Nachlassverwaltung. His door key literally no longer fit the lock to his office at the Goetheanum after being changed after he walked out of an annual General Assembly meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in protest. In 1973 he founded the "Seminar for the free Striving of Youth, Art and Social Order" in Dornach, Switzerland.
His work has been published by the Gideon Spicker Verlag, Verlag Freies Geistesleben, and Rudolf Steiner Press. His work (along with that of Georg Kühlewind
Georg Kühlewind
Georg Kühlewind was a Hungarian philosopher, writer, lecturer, and meditation teacher who worked from the tradition of Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science. Setting aside his early interest in music and psychology, he pursued a successful professional career as a physical chemist. Meanwhile, he...
, Friedemann Schwarzkopf, and Massimo Scaligero
Massimo Scaligero
Massimo Scaligero, born Antonio Sgabelloni in Veroli, Italy an Italian spiritual teacher, esotericist and anthroposophist. Scaligero's esoteric work influenced Georg Kühlewind.-English:...
) is believed by some to be among the most significant in furthering Rudolf Steiner's work in The Philosophy of Freedom
Philosophy of Freedom
The Philosophy of Freedom, the fundamental philosophical work of the philosopher and esotericist Rudolf Steiner, focuses on the concept of free will...
, and had considerable influence on Jonael Schickler
Jonael Schickler
Jonael Angelus Schickler was a Swiss philosopher who died in a rail crash at the age of 25.-Life:Schickler was born in Dornach, Switzerland. His family later moved to Forest Row, East Sussex, and he attended , the Rudolf Steiner school located there...
.