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Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social & political philosophy
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Philosophy Between the Lines - The Lost History of Esoteric Writing (Paperback)
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Philosophy Between the Lines - The Lost History of Esoteric Writing (Paperback)
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Total price: R1,006
Discovery Miles: 10 060
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Philosophical esotericism the practice of communicating one's
unorthodox thoughts "between the lines" was a common practice until
the end of the eighteenth century. The famous Encyclopedie of
Diderot, for instance, not only discusses this practice in over
twenty different articles, but admits to employing it itself. The
history of Western thought contains hundreds of such statements by
major philosophers testifying to the use of esoteric writing in
their own work or others'. Despite this long and well-documented
history, however, esotericism is often dismissed today as a rare
occurrence. But by ignoring esotericism, we risk cutting ourselves
off from a full understanding of Western philosophical thought.
Arthur M. Melzer serves as our deeply knowledgeable guide in this
capacious and engaging history of philosophical esotericism.
Walking readers through both an ancient (Plato) and a modern
(Machiavelli) esoteric work, he explains what esotericism is and is
not. It relies not on secret codes, but simply on a more intensive
use of familiar rhetorical techniques like metaphor, irony, and
insinuation. Melzer explores the various motives that led thinkers
in different times and places to engage in this strange practice,
while also exploring the motives that lead more recent thinkers not
only to dislike and avoid this practice but to deny its very
existence. In the book's final section, "A Beginner's Guide to
Esoteric Reading," Melzer turns to how we might once again
cultivate the long-forgotten art of reading esoteric works.
Philosophy Between the Lines is the first comprehensive,
book-length study of the history and theoretical basis of
philosophical esotericism, and it provides a crucial guide to how
many major writings philosophical, but also theological, political,
and literary were composed prior to the nineteenth century.
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