As “factual” as a whale

The intellect cannot do anything but combine and systematize facts. Facts can be experienced, but not be “proved by the intellect.” With the intellect, you cannot prove a whale. Either you must have seen it yourself, or you must let somebody describe it who has seen one. 

It is the same with the supersensible facts. If we have not yet attained to the point where we can see them ourselves, then we must permit them to be described to us. I can assure everyone that the supersensible facts which I describe in the subsequent pages are just as “factual” for the one whose higher senses are opened, as is the whale.

Source: Rudolf Steiner – GA 34 – Reincarnation and Karma – Appendix 

Translated by Lisa D. Monges

See also: Facts cannot be proved

Previously posted on January 1, 2017

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