-Caveat Lector- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Wouter Hanegraaff) To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: two vacant positions study of western esotericism Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 21:29:25 +0100 (CET) TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN The Chair "History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents" located at the University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Humanities, is looking for Two University Lecturers/Researchers (m/f) History of Esoteric Currents in Western Culture (Renaissance-Present) Recently a new institution for teaching and research has been created at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, devoted to the academic study of so-called "western-esoteric" currents in modern culture. In this context, "western esotericism" is understood in the technical academic sense of the word, as referring to a complex of interrelated currents that have existed in western society from the early modern period up to the present day. Accordingly, the field includes the revival of Hermetism and the so-called "Occult Philosophy" in the early modern period and its later developments; Alchemy, Paracelsianism and Rosicrucianism; Christian and post-Christian kabbalah; Theosophical and Illuminist currents; and various occultist and related developments during the 19th and 20th centuries, including the New Age movement. Western Esoteric currents have played - and continue to play - a significant role in the religious landscape of the modern west, but have tended to be neglected by academic research. The new institution in Amsterdam combines the world's second university chair in this field with the first initiative for a complete research group and the development of a standard academic teaching curriculum. In this context, the history of western esotericism will be studied and taught from an empirico-historical (religiously neutral) and interdisciplinary perspective, and with special attention to the complex nature of the relation between these currents and processes of modernization, rationalization and secularization. The general goal is to make a significant contribution to the academic professionalization of the study of western esotericism as a legitimate domain of study in its own right; a more specific goal is to demonstrate the relevance of this domain of research to our understanding of the foundations of modern western culture and society, and hence to stimulate cross-fertilization with other disciplines interested in the latter. The research focus on modernization requires particular emphasis. To date, there exists a widespread tendency to perceive "esoteric" or "occultist" traditions as inherently anti-modern, since they espouse "mystical" or "irrational" attitudes that are considered incompatible with rationality and science. This tendency is closely connected to the idea that such traditions are essentially static and conservative, in contrast to the dynamic and progressive nature of modernity. Recent research demonstrates such assumptions to be over-simplistic, and incompatible with the evidence. During all the phases of the emergence of modernity one finds, rather, a complex involvement of western esoteric currents with mainstream developments that are seen both as reflections of, and as contributions to, the emergence of the modern world (see, for example, the relation between the Hermetic revival and Renaissance humanism, alchemy and the scientific revolution, esoteric Freemasonry and the Enlightenment, Spiritualism and nineteenth-century positivism, modern Theosophy and evolutionist anthropology, Mesmerism and the rise of psychology, New Age religion and postmodern consumer culture). The complex and often paradoxical interrelation between western esotericism and the history of modernity cannot be understood without a critical contextual approach which recognizes that traditions associated with "magic and the occult" are subject to continuous change and creative innovation under the impact of new social and historical conditions, rather than being stale "revivals" or mere residues of past ages. The research program of the new institution at the University of Amsterdam will be based upon this axiom, and focus on exploring the complex involvement of western esotericism and mainstream modern culture. Innovative research in the direction sketched above must necessarily be based upon solid and detailed knowledge of the history and variable manifestations of western esotericism understood as a domain of research in its own right - with its own dynamics and characteristic themes and problems - rather than as a domain that derives its significance merely from the relevance it might have to areas of traditional academic interest. On these foundations, however, research should also broach questions and problems of a more general nature, related to the historical processes of modernization, rationalization and secularization. Given these requirements, candidates might have a background either in the historical study of western esotericism as such, or in research concentrating on aspects of the history of modernity relevant to the domain in question, or in both. In any case, they will be expected to be actively involved in a research program along the lines sketched above, and to display genuine interest in combining historical research into various aspects of western esotericism with theoretical reflection concerning questions of a more general nature. Candidates should fit the following profile: - Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a discipline of the humanities. - Specialization in, or relevant to, one or more areas of historical research belonging to the domain of "western esotericism", having resulted in academic publications of high quality. - Active interest in interdisciplinary research and teamwork in the context of the humanities and the social sciences, within a research program focused on the interrelations between western esotericism and processes of modernization. - Good didactic qualities. - Good command of the English language. Salary: according to the standard norms for University Lecturers in the Netherlands, with a maximum of f. 8682,-- bruto p./m. Letters of application, with C.V. and list of publications, should be sent to: Prof. Dr. W.J. Hanegraaff, Fac. of Humanities/Dept. Theology and Religious Studies, Oude Turfmarkt 147, NL-1012 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Deadline for letters of application: January 1, 2000. ======================= Robert F. Tatman Computer Help Desk Desktop & LAN Services Systems Department Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 215.854.2729 215.854.2788 The contents of this message represent the opinion only of the writer, and may not be construed to indicate the endorsement of Knight-Ridder, Inc.; Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.; The Philadelphia Inquirer; or the Philadelphia Daily News. "Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity." DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
