Goetheanum. Natural Science Section LIVING IN A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD. Technology as a challenge to develop new human capacities

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1 Goetheanum Natural Science Section LIVING IN A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD Technology as a challenge to develop new human capacities AUTUMN CONFERENCE October 6th 9th 2016 at the Goetheanum, Switzerland Goetheanum

2 LIVING IN A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD Technology as a challenge to develop new human capacities Autumn Conference of the Natural Science Section at the Goetheanum, October 6-9, 2016 For decades we have celebrated the almost daily advances of technology. Every year more earth material is moved by machines than by natural processes; phoning home while climbing a remote mountain is no problem, since satellites reach anywhere on the planet; weather patterns are reliably predicted days in advance by computers with immense computing power. Human physical activity, communication skills and intellectual capacities have been hugely enhanced and extended. For many, the household robot and the self-propelled car are just waiting in the wings. These advances do not come without regrets. The many perils of technology have only increased over the last hundred years, noticed especially when technology endangers living organisms or dangerous substances are mishandled. There is an equally alarming aspect to technology found in social environments, for example in the lives of those who mine for raw materials, or wherever individual human development is affected. Nevertheless, technology is and will continue to be an indispensable and integral part of human culture. The point is, then, to move forward with it in a way that is productive, responsible, and creative. Could it be that a technological world offers us an opportunity to strive for new human capacities that we would not otherwise be able to reach? Exploring this possibility seems to us to be one of the most noble tasks for the future to which anthroposophy can contribute. One path towards the development of these new human capacities comes in the legacy of Rudolf Steiner s last Letter to Members (GA26 From nature to sub-nature. ) In it he indicates two mutually dependent tasks: man must understand sub-nature for what it truly is, and this is only possible if he rises, in spiritual knowledge, at least as far into extra-earthly super-nature as he has descended, in technical sciences, into sub-nature. During this conference we wish, on the one hand, to take a look at technology and clarify the essential character of what Steiner refers to as sub-nature, and on the other hand, we wish to explore the paths that might lead us into super-nature. For that purpose we designed the conference in such a way that we will look at three realms of technology: technology which supports the physical body, technology which influences life processes and technology which engages and sometimes replaces our consciousness. To address the access to super-nature we will also look in three directions: our relationship to art, our relationship to night and the care of our inner life in meditation and worship. We encourage you to prepare a short (15 min) presentation for the contributions of participants session. It can be related to the theme of the conference, although it does not need to be, but it should be of interest for a scientifically oriented audience. Please submit a title via (science@goetheanum.ch). We look forward to you joining us, Johannes Kühl and the Team at the Natural Science Section in Dornach

3 PROGRAM Thu. Oct. 6th Fri. Oct. 7th Sat. Oct. 8th Sun. Oct. 9th 09:00am 09:30am Plenary session reviewing Plenary session reviewing Plenary session reviewing 09:30am 11:00am Relationship to Super- Nature I: Cultivating Art Christiane Haid, Michael Kurtz Relationship to Super- Nature II: Cultivating the Night Andre Bartoniczek, Johannes Kühl Relationship to Super- Nature III: Cultivating Inner Life Meditation and Worship Susanne Böttge, Kees Veenman 11:00am 11:30am Coffee Break 11:30am 12:45am Artistic Activities Artistic Activities World- Café, Summary Notes and Closing Lunch Break 3:00pm 4:30pm 3.30pm: Opening, World- Café Contributions of Participants 4:30pm 5:00pm Coffee Break 5:00pm 6:30pm Technology I: Mechanics and Electricity Technology II: Chemistry and Life Technology III: Consciousness and Intelligence Peter Tontsch, Andreas Pook Martin Rozumek, Johannes Wirz Edwin Hübner, Gopi Krishna Vijava 6:30pm 8:30pm Dinner Break 8:30pm 9:30pm Cultural Conclusion of the Day: Music and Eurythmy

4 General Information Living in a Technological World Autumn Conference of the Natural Science Section at the Goetheanum from Thursday, 6 to Sunday, 9 October 2016 Booking closes: Thursday, 22 September 2016 Conference fees: with sponsorship¹: CHF 300 with meals: CHF 425 regular price: CHF 220 with meals: CHF 345 concessions²: CHF 150 with meals: CHF 275 Conference meals Conference meals (vegetarian with dessert) include 2x lunch and 3x evening meal at CHF 125 in total. Breakfast (3x) can be booked separately at CHF 45. The other meals cannot be booked separately. We regret that food intolerances cannot be catered for. Group accommodation (Booking possibility on the booking form, further information: Accommodation with mattresses on the floor: 3 nights from 6 in the late evening to 9 October in the morning 2016 for CHF 30. Please bring a sleeping bag, a pillow and a sheet; limited spaces. Parking permit For the period of the conference: CHF 21 (not right next to the Goetheanum building). If you have a disability, please display your disability badge in your car. Methods of payment/confirmation On receipt of a group application, the respective institution will receive the account for the group. Subsequent bookings can only be applied for and paid on an individual basis. Credit cards (all countries): The full amount will be charged to your credit card as soon as your booking has been processed. You will receive postal or confirmation of your booking and payment. Invoice Switzerland: Confirmation of booking and an invoice will be sent to you once your booking has been processed. Please note that we only send out invoices up until 10 days before the beginning of an event. After that, payment is only possible by credit card or on arrival. Invoice Eurozone: Confirmation of booking and an invoice will be sent to you once your booking has been processed (Euro account). Please note that we only send out invoices up until 14 days before the beginning of an event. After that, payment is only possible by credit card or on arrival. Other countries: Once your booking has been processed you will receive a confirmation by post or . The amount due will either be charged to your credit card or you can pay on arrival. Bank transfers are not possible. Please note that the conference fee must be paid before the conference starts. Conference tickets: Tickets can be collected at the Reception until half an hour before the conference starts, also if you pay on arrival. We accept cash (Euro and CHF), VISA, MasterCard, ec-direct and Postcard-Schweiz. Cancellation: Bookings may be cancelled free of charge up to 14 days prior to the beginning of the conference ( , date of posting). After that, 50% of the conference fee will be charged. Meals, breakfast group accommodation and parking permit may be cancelled free of charge up to 1 day prior to the beginning of the conference ( ). Cancellation on the day when the conference begins or failure to attend are subject to a 100% invoice total. Substitutes will be accepted at no extra cost. Cancellation insurance: Subject to a payment of 5% of total costs (CHF 10 minimum) full cancellation insurance can be taken out to cover illness (including dependent children and partner), job loss and force majeure. Please ask for our terms of insurance or visit Data processing: All data will be electronically recorded and filed. Further accommodations on our website:

5 Booking Form Living in a Technological World Autumn Conference of the Natural Science Section at the Goetheanum from Thursday, 6 to Sunday, 9 October 2016 Booking closes: Thursday, 22 September 2016 Please complete the booking form and mail, fax or to: Goetheanum Empfang, Postfach, CH-4143 Dornach Fax , Tel tickets@goetheanum.org Please fill out in block capitals! Ms Mr Name, first name Billing address private address address of institution Name of institution Street, n o Town Postcode Country Phone/fax I need translation into English German Conference ticket without meals CHF 300 (with sponsorship¹) CHF 220 (regular price) CHF 150 (concessions²) Conference ticket with meals (2x lunch, 3x evening meal) CHF 425 (with sponsorship¹) CHF 345 (regular price) CHF 275 (concessions²) Breakfast (3x) CHF 45 Registration for the Artistic Activities will be at the information desk at the beginning of the conference. Group accommodation CHF 30 (3 nights from 6 to 9 October 2016) (Mattresses on the floor. Please bring a sleeping bag as well as a pillow and a sheet, limited places) Parking at the Goetheanum Parking permit: CHF 21 Insurance Cancellation insurance (5% of the total costs, CHF 10 minimum) See cancellation conditions in the General Information Payment methods on invoice (only Switzerland and Euro zone) Credit card (all countries) Visa MasterCard Card number: / / / Expiry date: / I would like to receive the biannual programme of Goetheanum events (in German). I agree to the terms of payment and cancellation. 6HT Place, date, signature ¹ Should you be in a position to pay an additional amount, this would help to cover the costs of the conference and support the work of the section. ² Concessions apply for students, schoolchildren, OAPs, the unemployed, those in training, military or civil service and people with disabilities who receive benefits. Proof of status has to be submitted with your booking form. Terms and Conditions will be sent on request or can be accessed online:

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