Rudolf SteinerStei·ner, Ru·dolf /ˈstaɪnə, ˈruːdɒlf $ -nər, -ɑːlf/ (1861–1925) an Austrian philosopher who believed that human beings can be trained to develop their spiritual powers. He is known especially for developing his own system for educating children, and for starting schools, called Steiner schools or Waldorf schools, that use his educational methods.