ABSTRACT
This chapter presents different approaches to human learning and contrasts them with the pedagogic concepts of Waldorf education, referencing Steiner's Study of Man with special consideration of his relevant legacy of lectures. A lasting change in the learner as a result of his own activity is the characterizing mark of a learning process. This latter aspect differentiates learning from biological concepts such as growth or maturation. This change can refer to observable behavior, abilities, knowledge, and skills, as well as to feelings or interpretation patterns of the learner. A fundamental element of Waldorf education is the respect from the start for every child as a unique individuality. From the times of Humboldt and Schleiermacher until today, individuality has remained a topos in educational theory and a goal of educational politics. Physical existence provides a center for one's individuality in turning toward the spatial world and thus it provides a foundation for any kind of perception.
