Western Esotericism: A Brief History of Secret Knowledge (British Museum Research Publication)

A controversial issue of public debate during the recent years, esotericism can be described as the search for an absolute but hidden knowledge that people claim to access through mystical vision, the mediation of higher beings, or personal experience. In Western cultural history these claims often led to conflicts with more established forms of scriptural religions and with reductionist interpretations in science and philosophy. In this highly readable book Kocku von Stuckrad describes the impact of esoteric currents from antiquity to the present and pursues the continuities and breaks in a tradition that significantly influenced the formation of modernity. When Hermes Trismegistos reveals wisdom of an absolute quality, the unveiling of hidden knowledge in Jewish Kabbalah is transformed by Christians, Renaissance thinkers speak of an 'eternal philosophy,' or when in the 'New Age' people try to get in contact with a source of superior understanding--in every case the dynamic of concealment and revelation is at stake and the ways this hidden knowledge can be made accessible for human curiosity.\*\*Review"Von Stuckrad is one of the most respected figures in the rich and blossoming field of Western esotericism. Impressive in breadth, analysis and clarity, this text is an excellent introduction to Western esotericism and a welcome addition to any undergraduate or graduate syllabus. Highly recommended." -- Religious Studies Review "Combines chronological organization with an encyclopedic richness." -- The Journal of Religion "A handy orientation to newcomers to the vast field of esoteric studies - Stuckrad traces the historical reach of Gnosticism, hermeticism, alchemy, Kabbalah, Neoplatonism, Rosicrucians, Freemasonry and Theosophy into the modern world." -- ww w.wordtrade.comAbout the AuthorKocku von Stuckrad teaches at the Institute for the History of Hermetic Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam. Previously he was a professor of religious studies at the University of Bayreuth. His most recent work includes History of Western Astrology (published by C.H. Beck in German, 2003, and by Equinox in English, 2005) and Einfuhrung in die Religionswissenschaft (Introduction to the Science of Religion) with Hans G. Kippenberg published in 2003 in German by C.H. Beck. img065Ex.jpg......Page 1 img066Ex.jpg......Page 2 img067Ex.jpg......Page 3 img068Ex.jpg......Page 4 img069Ex.jpg......Page 5 img070Ex.jpg......Page 6 img071Ex.jpg......Page 7 img072Ex.jpg......Page 8 img073Ex.jpg......Page 9 img074Ex.jpg......Page 10 img075Ex.jpg......Page 11 img076Ex.jpg......Page 12 img077Ex.jpg......Page 13 img078Ex.jpg......Page 14 img079Ex.jpg......Page 15 img080Ex.jpg......Page 16 img081Ex.jpg......Page 17 img082Ex.jpg......Page 18 img083Ex.jpg......Page 19 img084Ex.jpg......Page 20 img085Ex.jpg......Page 21 img086Ex.jpg......Page 22 img087Ex.jpg......Page 23 img088Ex.jpg......Page 24 img089Ex.jpg......Page 25 img090Ex.jpg......Page 26 img003Ex.jpg......Page 27 img004Ex.jpg......Page 28 img005Ex.jpg......Page 29 img006Ex.jpg......Page 30 img007Ex.jpg......Page 31 img008Ex.jpg......Page 32 img009Ex.jpg......Page 33 img010Ex.jpg......Page 34 img011Ex.jpg......Page 35 img012Ex.jpg......Page 36 img013Ex.jpg......Page 37 img014Ex.jpg......Page 38 img015Ex.jpg......Page 39 img016Ex.jpg......Page 40 img017Ex.jpg......Page 41 img018Ex.jpg......Page 42 img019Ex.jpg......Page 43 img020Ex.jpg......Page 44 img021Ex.jpg......Page 45 img022Ex.jpg......Page 46 img023Ex.jpg......Page 47 img024Ex.jpg......Page 48 img025Ex.jpg......Page 49 img026Ex.jpg......Page 50 img027Ex.jpg......Page 51 img028Ex.jpg......Page 52 img029Ex.jpg......Page 53 img030Ex.jpg......Page 54 img031Ex.jpg......Page 55 img032Ex.jpg......Page 56 img033Ex.jpg......Page 57 img034Ex.jpg......Page 58 img035Ex.jpg......Page 59 img036Ex.jpg......Page 60 img037Ex.jpg......Page 61 img038Ex.jpg......Page 62 img039Ex.jpg......Page 63 img040Ex.jpg......Page 64 img041Ex.jpg......Page 65 img042Ex.jpg......Page 66 img043Ex.jpg......Page 67 img044Ex.jpg......Page 68 img045Ex.jpg......Page 69 img046Ex.jpg......Page 70 img047Ex.jpg......Page 71 img048Ex.jpg......Page 72 img049Ex.jpg......Page 73 img050Ex.jpg......Page 74 img051Ex.jpg......Page 75 img052Ex.jpg......Page 76 img053Ex.jpg......Page 77 img054Ex.jpg......Page 78 img055Ex.jpg......Page 79 img056Ex.jpg......Page 80 img057Ex.jpg......Page 81 img058Ex.jpg......Page 82 img059Ex.jpg......Page 83 img060Ex.jpg......Page 84 img061Ex.jpg......Page 85 img062Ex.jpg......Page 86 img063Ex.jpg......Page 87 img064Ex.jpg......Page 88 Esotericism is the search for an absolute but hidden knowledge accessed through mystical vision, the mediation of higher beings, or personal experience. In Western cultural history esoteric approaches to religion have often been in conflict with - and suffered at the hands of - more established forms of religious belief and practice.'Western Esotericism'presents a very broad and engaging history of the people and ideas which have shaped occult history from antiquity to today. Throughout the history of esotericism the dynamic of concealment and revelation has characterized the search for secret knowledge. Pursued both publically and privately, esotericism has come to influence more mainstream religious practice and culture and has significantly shaped our understanding of modernity. Today, esotericism continues to be practised by a range of both established and new religious movements.'Western Esotericism'presents the essential guide to one of the most fascinating, provocative, and sustained of religious traditions. Introduction: What Is Esotericism? -- Esotericism In The Ancient World -- The Kabbalah : Understanding The Hidden In The Revealed -- The Renaissance : Re-inventing The Ancient World -- Esotericism In The Confessional Age -- Esotericism, Enlightenment, Science -- Institutionalised Esotericism : Secret Societies -- Pioneer Of Modern Esotericism : The Theosophical Society -- Esotericism And Modernity. Kocku Von Stuckrad ; Translated And With A Foreword By Nicholas Goodrick-clarke. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [147]-161) And Index.