From the Philosophia Perennis to American Perennialism
After an introductory section devoted to the roots of North American perennialism from the Renaissance to modern Theosophy and the work of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy through the romantic quests and transcendentalists of light from the East the author presents the history of the current itself in the United States from the mid-20th century to today. She describes its various manifestations, in both academic and artistic circles, and outlines the debates that have been raised and continue to be raised. Finally, she highlights some problematic aspects, subjecting them to questions from an historical-critical perspective. Houman s book is a richly documented contribution, a qualitatively stimulating study. It reflects not only on North American culture and civilization in particular, but also on an important aspect of the contemporary philosophical landscape in general. Her precision of articulation is enhanced by clear and elegant language throughout. This work is a must for anyone interested in the study of this subject from the perspective of philosophical thought. Well organized, based on solid research, and written in an easy-to-read style, this is the first study not only to locate the United States in the perennialist movement, but also to analyze, in detail, its vision of the world. While the literature on perennialism tends mostly to be marked by a partisan and apologetic spirit, Dr. Houman approaches this subject in a spirit that combines generosity and respect for rigor. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand this important trend in modern and contemporary spirituality. Wouter J. Hanegraaff --From the original French Edition of From Philosophia Perennis to American PerennialismThe author's Professor: Antoine Faivre (1934). Professor of Germanic Studies at the University of Bordeaux, then of Rouen, from 1972 to 1991. In 1979, appointed to the chair of History of Esoteric Currents in Modern and Contemporary Europe at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Department of Sciences Religieuses , Sorbonne), where he is Professor Emeritus since 2002. Four appointments as Visiting Professor at the University of Berkeley (Religious Studies and Germanistics) in the 1980s. Another area of his competency bears on Epistemology and Historical Comparativism in Religious Studies . Author of : Kirchberger et l Illuminisme du XVIIIè siècle (Den Hag: Nijhoff, 1965) ; Eckartshausen et la théosophie chrétienne (Paris: Klincksieck, 1969) ; Mystiques, Théosophes et Illuminés au siècle des Lumières (Hildesheim: G. Olms, 1977) ; The Golden Fleece and Alchemy (Albany [NY], SUNY Press, 1993) ; Access to Western Esotericism (Albany [NY]: S.U.N.Y., 1994); The Eternal Hermes: From Greek God to Alchemical Magus (Grand Rapids [Mi]: Phanes Press, 1995; Philosophie de la Nature (Physique sacrée et théosophie, XVIIIè-XIXè siècles (Paris: Albin Michel, 1996); Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition (Albany [NY]: S.U.N.Y., 2000) ; L Ésotérisme (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 2012, 5th ed. Translated as Western Esotericism. A Concise History, Albany [NY]: S.U.N.Y., 2011). Editor of the series (45 volumes published since 1977) Cahiers de l Hermétisme and Bibliothèque de l Hermétisme (Paris: Albin Michel / Dervy). Co-editor: with Wouter J. Hanegraaff, Roelof van de Broek and Jean-Pierre Brach) of the Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism (Leiden etc.: E.J. Brill, 2005); with Wouter J. Hahnegraaff and Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke of Aries: Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism. And co-editor of several collective volumes (mostly Proceedings of conferences) on the study of Western esotericism. Formely member of the European Editorial Board of the journal Religion, and of the Steering Committee of the Western Esotericism Group of the American Academy of Religion. --From the AuthorThe author's Professor: Antoine Faivre (1934). Professor of Germanic Studies at the University of Bordeaux, then of Rouen, from 1972 to 1991. In 1979, appointed to the chair of History of Esoteric Currents in Modern and Contemporary Europe at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Department of Sciences Religieuses , Sorbonne), where he is Professor Emeritus since 2002. Four appointments as Visiting Professor at the University of Berkeley (Religious Studies and Germanistics) in the 1980s. Another area of his competency bears on Epistemology and Historical Comparativism in Religious Studies . Author of : Kirchberger et l Illuminisme du XVIIIè siècle (Den Hag: Nijhoff, 1965) ; Eckartshausen et la théosophie chrétienne (Paris: Klincksieck, 1969) ; Mystiques, Théosophes et Illuminés au siècle des Lumières (Hildesheim: G. Olms, 1977) ; The Golden Fleece and Alchemy (Albany [NY], SUNY Press, 1993) ; Access to Western Esotericism (Albany [NY]: S.U.N.Y., 1994); The Eternal Hermes: From Greek God to Alchemical Magus (Grand Rapids [Mi]: Phanes Press, 1995; Philosophie de la Nature (Physique sacrée et théosophie, XVIIIè-XIXè siècles (Paris: Albin Michel, 1996); Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition (Albany [NY]: S.U.N.Y., 2000) ; L Ésotérisme (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 2012, 5th ed. Translated as Western Esotericism. A Concise History, Albany [NY]: S.U.N.Y., 2011). Editor of the series (45 volumes published since 1977) Cahiers de l Hermétisme and Bibliothèque de l Hermétisme (Paris: Albin Michel / Dervy). Co-editor: with Wouter J. Hanegraaff, Roelof van de Broek and Jean-Pierre Brach) of the Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism (Leiden etc.: E.J. Brill, 2005); with Wouter J. Hahnegraaff and Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke of Aries: Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism. And co-editor of several collective volumes (mostly Proceedings of conferences) on the study of Western esotericism. Formely member of the European Editorial Board of the journal Religion, and of the Steering Committee of the Western Esotericism Group of the American Academy of Religion. --From the Author