The Natural Science Section is one of eleven sections of the School of Spiritual Science. Together with the Section for Agriculture it runs the Research Institute at the Goetheanum. Areas of research include biology, agricultural sciences, medicinal herbology, chemistry, physics and image-creating methods.

Does a genetically manipulated tomato plant differ from a non-manipulated plant only in a tiny detail of its biochemistry – or are we dealing with a new plant? What constitutes the quality of medicinal plants for the production of new medicines? Is it possible to open up quantum physics phenomenologically? These and similar questions form the current field of work of our institute.

We understand research not only as "analysis": good research always changes one's own image of the world, creates new perspectives and possibilities for orientation in the face of contemporary issues such as genetic engineering or climate change – it enables new questions and responsibility.