Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed by Professor Wouter J. Hanegraaff

Description: Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed by Professor Wouter J. Hanegraaff, Wouter J. Hanegraaff A practical and accessible guide and introduction to the field of Western Esotericism FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Western esotericism has been a pervasive presence in Western culture from late antiquity to the present day, but until recently it was largely ignored by scholars and surrounded by misconceptions and prejudice. This accessible guide provides readers with the basic knowledge and tools that will allow them to find their way in this bewildering but fascinating field.What is it that unites phenomena as diverse as ancient gnosticism and hermetism, the "occult sciences" of astrology, alchemy, and magic, rosicrucianism, as well as Christian theosophy, occultism, spiritualism, and the contemporary New Age spiritualities? What can the study of them teach us about our common cultural and intellectual heritage, and what is it that makes them relevant to contemporary concerns? How do we distinguish reliable historical knowledge from legends and fictions about esoteric traditions? These and many other questions are answered clearly and succinctly, so that the reader can find his way into the labyrinth of Western esotericism and out of it again. Author Biography Wouter J. Hanegraaff is Professor of History ofHermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, theNetherlands, and President of the European Society for the Study of WesternEsotericism. Table of Contents Introduction \ 1. What is Western Esotericism? \ 2. A Very Short History \ 3. Apologetics and Polemics \ 4. Worldviews \ 5. Knowledge \ 6. Practice \ 7. Modernization \ 8. Between the Disciplines \ 9. Sources and Resources \ Glossary Review It is lucid, wide-ranging and extremely well researched ... this text is a must for those who are merely curious, those who are studious and those alternative philosophers of nature, and esoteric ... practitioners themselves. * De Numine *Wouter Hanegraaff offers the reader here a crystallization of his celebrated scholarship on the history of Western esotericism, from the ancient world to the New Age, as the "rejected knowledge" of Western religion, culture, and science. Along the way, he strikes all the right notes, introduces key terms and figures, and traces the influence of esotericism on science, art, literature, and music. The result is an impeccable piece of historical analysis that shows why the critical study of Western esotericism should lie at the center of the academy and not in its margins. -- Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of Authors of the Impossible: The Paranormal and the Sacred Promotional A practical and accessible guide and introduction to the field of Western Esotericism Long Description Western esotericism has been a pervasive presence in Western culture from late antiquity to the present day, but until recently it was largely ignored by scholars and surrounded by misconceptions and prejudice. This accessible guide provides readers with the basic knowledge and tools that will allow them to find their way in this bewildering but fascinating field. ....What is it that unites phenomena as diverse as ancient gnosticism and hermetism, the occult sciences of astrology, alchemy, and magic, rosicrucianism, as well as Christian theosophy, occultism, spiritualism, and the contemporary New Age spiritualities? What can the study of them teach us about our common cultural and intellectual heritage, and what is it that makes them relevant to contemporary concerns? How do we distinguish reliable historical knowledge from legends and fictions about esoteric traditions? These and many other questions are answered clearly and succinctly, so that the reader can find his way into the labyrinth of Western esotericism and out of it again. Review Quote Wouter Hanegraaff offers the reader here a crystallization of his celebrated scholarship on the history of Western esotericism, from the ancient world to the New Age, as the "rejected knowledge" of Western religion, culture, and science. Along the way, he strikes all the right notes, introduces key terms and figures, and traces the influence of esotericism on science, art, literature, and music. The result is an impeccable piece of historical analysis that shows why the critical study of Western esotericism should lie at the center of the academy and not in its margins. Promotional "Headline" A practical and accessible guide and introduction to the field of Western Esotericism Feature Includes case studies and weblinks. Details ISBN1441136460 Year 2013 ISBN-10 1441136460 ISBN-13 9781441136466 Media Book Series Guides for the Perplexed Subtitle A Guide for the Perplexed Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States DEWEY 133 Language English Series Number 380 Pages 224 DOI CBID167845 Illustrations black & white illustrations Short Title WESTERN ESOTERICISM Format Paperback Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Imprint Bloomsbury Academic USA UK Release Date 2013-01-17 Translated from English NZ Release Date 2013-01-17 US Release Date 2013-01-17 Translator Tom Kuhn Edited by Lynne Flowerdew Birth 1952 Position Author Qualifications R.N., M.S. Author Wouter J. Hanegraaff Publication Date 2013-01-17 Audience Undergraduate AU Release Date 2013-01-01 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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