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The Heterodox Tradition in Western Philosophy (view source)
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==The Heterodox Tradition in Western Philosophy==
From A History of the Concept of Mind, v. 2 by Paul S. Macdonald [https://www.ashgate.com/default.aspx?page=637&title_id=6272&edition_id=7641&calcTitle=1]
===Introduction===
====Exoteric====
There are two (or three) main highways along which western speculation about the
There are two (or three) main highways along which western speculation about the
nature of the world and the human soul have traveled: the Platonic dual nature
nature of the world and the human soul have traveled: the Platonic dual nature
Kenelm Digby who thought that some version of atomism was more amenable to
Kenelm Digby who thought that some version of atomism was more amenable to
the new mechanistic theories of matter in motion.
the new mechanistic theories of matter in motion.
====Esoteric====
But there are other less well-remarked paths, trodden usually by the few or the
But there are other less well-remarked paths, trodden usually by the few or the
chosen alone. These are the distinctive features of heterodox lines of thought about
chosen alone. These are the distinctive features of heterodox lines of thought about
veneration.’The Christians could not complain about secretive behavior because
veneration.’The Christians could not complain about secretive behavior because
they themselves were secretive; in addition, they were intolerant of other gods and
they themselves were secretive; in addition, they were intolerant of other gods and
other forms of devotion except their own. Thus Kieckhefer concludes that, in
other forms of devotion except their own. Thus Kieckhefer concludes that, in sharply distinguishing between Christianity as the true religion and paganism as a
sharply distinguishing between Christianity as the true religion and paganism as a
parcel of false religions:
parcel of false religions:
Early Christian writers in effect introduced a distinction between religion and magic which
had not previously been made and which was not easily understood except from a
had not previously been made and which was not easily understood except from a
Christian viewpoint. It was a short step from saying that paganism was inauthentic
Christian viewpoint. It was a short step from saying that paganism was inauthentic
realized through cooperative endeavors, pieces of which can become available to
realized through cooperative endeavors, pieces of which can become available to
anyone with the right scientific education. The occult philosophy and its many
anyone with the right scientific education. The occult philosophy and its many
heterodox variants are not so much driven underground as channeled into side-
heterodox variants are not so much driven underground as channeled into side-
roads, away from the main highway; dusty roads traveled by amateur alchemists,
roads, away from the main highway; dusty roads traveled by amateur alchemists,
in their speculations about the nature,function and structure of the human mind and
in their speculations about the nature,function and structure of the human mind and
soul.
soul.
==References==
1 Kieckhefer 1990 pp. 35–7.
1 Kieckhefer 1990 pp. 35–7.
2 Conditions of secrecy are emphasized by Stroumsa 1996 pp. 1–7.
2 Conditions of secrecy are emphasized by Stroumsa 1996 pp. 1–7.
8 Copenhaver & Schmitt 1992 p. 315.
8 Copenhaver & Schmitt 1992 p. 315.
9 Philip Batz quoted in Culianou 1992 p. 56.
9 Philip Batz quoted in Culianou 1992 p. 56.
[[Category: Philosophy]]