Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics

1. Auflage 2013
ISBN: 978-1-84465-695-0
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd (Sales)

Buch, Englisch, 252 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 239 mm, Gewicht: 522 g

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) is one of the most famous and significant authors in the history of western esotericism. Crowley has been long ignored by scholars of religion whilst the stories of magical and sexual practice which circulate about him continue to attract popular interest. "Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics" looks at the man behind the myth - by setting him firmly within the politics of his time - and the development of his ideas through his extensive and extraordinarily varied writings. Crowley was a rationalist, sympathetic to the values of the Enlightenment, but also a romantic and a reactionary. His search for an alternative way to express his religious feelings led him to elaborate his own vision of social and political change. Crowley's complex politics led to his involvement with many key individuals, organisations and groups of his day - the secret service of various countries, the German Nazi party, Russian political activists, journalists and politicians of various persuasions, as well as other writers - both in Europe and America. "Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics" presents a life of ideas, an examination of a man shaped by and shaping the politics of his times.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Pasi, Marco

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Philosophie: Allgemeines, Methoden

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction 1. An Unspeakable Life 2. Magical Politics 3. Dangerous Liaisons 4. The Mouth of Hell 5. Counter-Initiation and Conspiracy Conclusion Appendix 1: Some Additional Remarks on Julius Evola and Aleister Crowley Hans Thomas Hakl Appendix 2: Key Documents. Index

Über Autor(innen)

Marco Pasi is Assistant Professor of History of Hermetic Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands