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'''Esotericism''' refers to the [[doctrines]] or practices of esoteric [[knowledge]], or otherwise the quality or state of being described as esoteric, or [[obscure]].[http://www.webster.com/dictionary/esotericism Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary : esotericism] '''Esoteric''' knowledge is that which is specialized or advanced in nature, available only to a narrow circle of "enlightened", "initiated", or highly educated people. [http://www.webster.com/dictionary/esoteric Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary : esoteric]. Items pertaining to esotericism may be known as '''esoterica'''. [http://www.webster.com/dictionary/esoterica Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary : esoterica]  Some interpretations of esotericism are very broad and include even unconventional and non-scientific belief systems, typically as contrasted with the "scientific" or "traditional religious" beliefs of the society without or "at large". In contrast, [[exotericism|exoteric knowledge]] is knowledge that is well-known or public; or perceived as informally canonic in society at large.

 

 

'''Esotericism''' refers to the [[doctrines]] or practices of esoteric [[knowledge]], or otherwise the quality or state of being described as esoteric, or [[obscure]].[https://www.webster.com/dictionary/esotericism] '''Esoteric''' knowledge is that which is specialized or advanced in nature, available only to a narrow circle of "enlightened", "initiated", or highly educated people. [https://www.webster.com/dictionary/esoteric]. Items pertaining to esotericism may be known as '''esoterica'''. [https://www.webster.com/dictionary/esoterica]  Some interpretations of esotericism are very broad and include even unconventional and non-scientific belief systems, typically as contrasted with the "scientific" or "traditional religious" beliefs of the society without or "at large". In contrast, exoteric [[knowledge]] is knowledge that is well-known or public; or perceived as informally canonic in society at large.

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

'''Esoteric''' is an [[adjective]] originating in [[Greece]]; it comes from the Greek ''ἐσωτερικός'' ''esôterikos'', from ''esôtero'', the [[comparative]] form of ''ἔσω'' ''esô'': "[[wikt:within|within]]". ''Esoteric'' refers to anything that is [[wikt:inner|inner]]. Its antonym is [[exoteric]], from the Greek ''ἐξωτερικός}}'' ''eksôterikos'', from ''eksôtero'', the comparative form of ''ἔξω}}'' ''eksô'': "outside". [[Plato]], in his dialogue ''Alcibíades'' ([[circa]] [[390 BC]]), uses the expression ''ta esô'' meaning «the inner things», and in his dialogue ''Theaetetus'' (circa [[360 BC]]) he uses ''ta eksô'' meaning «the outside things». The probable first appearance of the Greek [[adjective]] ''esôterikos'' is in [[Lucian of Samosata]]'s "The Auction of Lives", § 26 (also called "The Auction of the Philosophical Schools"), written around AD 166. [http://paginasesotericas.tripod.com/esoterismo.htm]

'''Esoteric''' is an [[adjective]] originating in [[Greece]]; it comes from the Greek ''ἐσωτερικός'' ''esôterikos'', from ''esôtero'', the [[comparative]] form of ''ἔσω'' ''esô'': "[[wikt:within|within]]". ''Esoteric'' refers to anything that is [[wikt:inner|inner]]. Its antonym is [[exoteric]], from the Greek ''ἐξωτερικός}}'' ''eksôterikos'', from ''eksôtero'', the comparative form of ''ἔξω}}'' ''eksô'': "outside". [[Plato]], in his dialogue ''Alcibíades'' ([[circa]] [[390 BC]]), uses the expression ''ta esô'' meaning «the inner things», and in his dialogue ''Theaetetus'' (circa [[360 BC]]) he uses ''ta eksô'' meaning «the outside things». The probable first appearance of the Greek [[adjective]] ''esôterikos'' is in [[Lucian of Samosata]]'s "The Auction of Lives", § 26 (also called "The Auction of the Philosophical Schools"), written around AD 166. [https://paginasesotericas.tripod.com/esoterismo.htm]

The term ''esoteric'' first appeared in English in the [[1701]] ''History of Philosophy'' by [[Thomas Stanley (author)|Thomas Stanley]], in his description of the "Auditors of [[Pythagoras]]." The Pythagoreans were divided into "exoteric", which were under review, and "esoteric", which had performed well enough to be admitted into the "inner" circle.

The term ''esoteric'' first appeared in English in the [[1701]] ''History of Philosophy'' by [[Thomas Stanley (author)|Thomas Stanley]], in his description of the "Auditors of [[Pythagoras]]." The Pythagoreans were divided into "exoteric", which were under review, and "esoteric", which had performed well enough to be admitted into the "inner" circle.

== Connotations ==

== Connotations ==

==== "Esotericism" in current usage ====

==== "Esotericism" in current usage ====

In Western, English-speaking societies today, the term "esotericism" has come to informally mean any '''knowledge that is difficult to understand or remember''', such as [[theoretical physics]], or that which pertains to the [[minutiae]] of a particular discipline, such as "esoteric" [[baseball]] statistics.  

In Western, English-speaking societies today, the term "esotericism" has come to informally mean any knowledge that is difficult to understand or remember, such as [[theoretical physics]], or that which pertains to the [[minutiae]] of a particular discipline, such as "esoteric" [[baseball]] statistics.  

The term "esoteric" does not necessarily refer to "esotericism" ''per se'' in the sense of "inner" knowledge, disciplines, or practices.

The term "esoteric" does not necessarily refer to "esotericism" ''per se'' in the sense of "inner" knowledge, disciplines, or practices.

Yet another notable esoteric strain stems from the teachings of [[G. I. Gurdjieff]] and [[P. D. Ouspensky]].

Yet another notable esoteric strain stems from the teachings of [[G. I. Gurdjieff]] and [[P. D. Ouspensky]].

[[Rudolf Steiner]],  who broke with [[theosophy]] to found his own [[anthroposophy]], spoke of a disagreement between esotericists at the close of the [[19th century]]; one branch wanted to open up esoteric knowledge to the general public, while another group wished to maintain secrecy. [http://rsv.arpa.ch/webcli/rsv.cgi?addr=view_page&rndID=vo8JEVhTuD5.czxIlAXr6N0.tI&id=231_64382&fnd=1&page=1&start=0&request=linke+rechte+Esoterik&reqtype=&sort=1&scope=1&dates=&persons=&geo=&cats=&limit=10&distance=0&docs=&doc_inp=&title=254-139&page_param=231_64382] Rudolf Steiner, The Occult Movement in the 19th Century, GA 254, page 139.] Steiner himself claimed to stand  in the lineage of those who wanted to make the esoteric an accepted part of mainstream culture. His first books, written in the 19th century, avoided any reference to esoteric themes, but he saw the [[20th century]] as the dawn of a new age, when spirituality would be increasingly central to human development. Thus, he began to publish works such as 'Theosophy' and 'Occult Science' and to lecture on esoteric themes both to select audiences (members of the [[Anthroposophical Society]] or of his own esoteric school) and to the general public. All but the most esoteric of these lectures were already being published during his lifetime, and in the last decades even the most esoteric material has been made available by the Rudolf Steiner Archive and Press, [http://www.rudolf-steiner.com/ Rudolf Steiner Archive and Press] in accordance with Steiner's wishes.

[[Rudolf Steiner]],  who broke with [[theosophy]] to found his own [[anthroposophy]], spoke of a disagreement between esotericists at the close of the [[19th century]]; one branch wanted to open up esoteric knowledge to the general public, while another group wished to maintain secrecy. [https://rsv.arpa.ch/webcli/rsv.cgi?addr=view_page&rndID=vo8JEVhTuD5.czxIlAXr6N0.tI&id=231_64382&fnd=1&page=1&start=0&request=linke+rechte+Esoterik&reqtype=&sort=1&scope=1&dates=&persons=&geo=&cats=&limit=10&distance=0&docs=&doc_inp=&title=254-139&page_param=231_64382] Rudolf Steiner, The Occult Movement in the 19th Century, GA 254, page 139.] Steiner himself claimed to stand  in the lineage of those who wanted to make the esoteric an accepted part of mainstream culture. His first books, written in the 19th century, avoided any reference to esoteric themes, but he saw the [[20th century]] as the dawn of a new age, when spirituality would be increasingly central to human development. Thus, he began to publish works such as 'Theosophy' and 'Occult Science' and to lecture on esoteric themes both to select audiences (members of the [[Anthroposophical Society]] or of his own esoteric school) and to the general public. All but the most esoteric of these lectures were already being published during his lifetime, and in the last decades even the most esoteric material has been made available by the Rudolf Steiner Archive and Press, [https://www.rudolf-steiner.com/ Rudolf Steiner Archive and Press] in accordance with Steiner's wishes.

==References==

==References==

==See also==

==See also==

* [[New Age]]

* [[New Age]]

* [[Spirituality]]

* [[Spirituality]]

* [[Theosophy]]

* [[Theosophy]]

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.amsterdamhermetica.com University of Amsterdam Center for Study of Western Esotericism] Research & BA/MA programs in Western esotericism.

* [https://www.amsterdamhermetica.com University of Amsterdam Center for Study of Western Esotericism] Research & BA/MA programs in Western esotericism.

* [http://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/research/exeseso/ University of Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO)]

* [https://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/research/exeseso/ University of Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO)]

** [http://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/research/exeseso/staff.htm Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO): Staff]

** [https://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/research/exeseso/staff.htm Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO): Staff]

** [http://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/postgrad/ma/esotericism.htm MA in Western Esotericism at the University of Exeter]

** [https://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/postgrad/ma/esotericism.htm MA in Western Esotericism at the University of Exeter]

* [http://www.esswe.org ESSWE] European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism, with many links to associated organizations, libraries, scholars etc.

* [https://www.esswe.org ESSWE] European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism, with many links to associated organizations, libraries, scholars etc.

* [http://www.gnosticweb.com/ Gnosticweb] Free courses on esoteric topics such as astral projection and the esoteric path

* [https://www.gnosticweb.com/ Gnosticweb] Free courses on esoteric topics such as astral projection and the esoteric path

* [http://www.bajoloshielos.cl Revista Bajo los Hielos] René Guénon, Abellio, Evola, Lubicz, etc.  

* [https://www.bajoloshielos.cl Revista Bajo los Hielos] René Guénon, Abellio, Evola, Lubicz, etc.  

* [http://www.iniciatica.com Libreria Iniciática - Especializada en temática esotérica] {{es icon}}.

* [https://www.iniciatica.com Libreria Iniciática - Especializada en temática esotérica].

* [http://virtuescience.com/occult-timeline.html Timeline of Esoteric History]

* [https://virtuescience.com/occult-timeline.html Timeline of Esoteric History]

* [http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/logiahermes13 Masonic Esotericism] {{es icon}}

* [https://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/logiahermes13 Masonic Esotericism]  

* [http://www.AmericanGnosticAssociation.org American Gnostic Association] Understanding Esotericism as the root of all religions and systems of spiritual cultivation

* [https://www.AmericanGnosticAssociation.org American Gnostic Association] Understanding Esotericism as the root of all religions and systems of spiritual cultivation

* [http://www.esoteric-lebanon.com The first Esoteric Center in Lebanon and the Arab World] Teaching the esoteric techniques of self-knowledge...

* [https://www.esoteric-lebanon.com The first Esoteric Center in Lebanon and the Arab World] Teaching the esoteric techniques of self-knowledge...

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]