Here are the personality characteristics necessary to pursue knowledge according to each of Rudolf Steiner's world-outlook moods:
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Occultism - Conditioned Cognition: recognizes the hidden aspects of reality that is not immediately apparent through ordinary sense-perception and cognition. Another way is found in ritual or habitual practices that condition cognitive processes and behavior.
- Curiosity: A deep, intrinsic desire to uncover hidden truths and delve beneath surface appearances.
- Perseverance: The patience and tenacity to continue exploring even when faced with obscure or challenging material.
- Introspectiveness: A tendency to look inward and reflect on underlying motives and esoteric aspects of actions and events.
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Transcendentalism - Aspired Cognition: involves the pursuit of higher knowledge driven by a strong aspiration or desire, often adhering to specific worldviews or principles to transcend ordinary experience.
- Aspiration: A strong, driving desire for higher knowledge and understanding beyond the ordinary.
- Principled: Adherence to specific worldviews or moral principles that guide their pursuit of knowledge.
- Idealism: A tendency to seek out and value higher, often abstract truths over immediate sensory experiences.
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Mysticism - Reflective Cognition: involves deep introspection and inner reflection to uncover truths, emphasizing a meditative and contemplative approach to understanding.
- Contemplativeness: An inclination toward deep thought and reflection on spiritual and inner experiences.
- Intuition: A strong reliance on inner feelings and insights to gain knowledge.
- Inner Peace: A calm and serene disposition that allows for profound inward focus and meditation.
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Empiricism - Perceptual Cognition: incorporates into worldview experience of the external world.
- Observant: Keen attention to detail and a strong focus on sensory experiences and empirical data.
- Practical: A grounded, hands-on approach to acquiring knowledge through direct interaction with the environment.
- Open-mindedness: Willingness to accept what is observed without preconceptions or biases.
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Volunteerism - Conceptual Cognition: focuses on understanding the will element that shapes objects and events in the world. An object has a "will" element, examples are the forces of nature and the hardness of a stone. This will element is grasped conceptually as laws and principles.
- Dynamic: A proactive and energetic approach to understanding the world through the lens of willpower and intention.
- Determined: A strong sense of purpose and drive to understand the underlying principles shaping reality.
- Conceptual Thinker: Ability to grasp and apply abstract concepts and principles related to will and force.
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Logicism - Independent Cognition: involves the logical and systematic connection of thoughts, concepts and ideas into coherent, structured knowledge.
- Analytical: A systematic and logical approach to thinking, with a strong emphasis on reasoning and coherence.
- Independent: Self-reliant in forming thoughts and connecting ideas without undue influence from external sources.
- Structured: An organized and methodical way of processing information and constructing knowledge frameworks.
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Gnosis: Integrative Cognition: seeks to know the world with inner cognitive forces.
- Intuitive: A natural ability to understand and integrate knowledge through inner cognitive forces and spiritual insights.
- Holistic: A tendency to see connections and integrate various aspects of knowledge into a cohesive whole.
- Wisdom: A deep, often innate understanding of profound truths and a capacity for integrating diverse knowledge sources.
