Philosophical Approaches to Demonology — Occult Philosophy

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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Philosophical Approaches to Demonology

Name: Philosophical Approaches to Demonology
Price: 64.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780367595234

✍️ Benjamin W McCraw, Robert Arp

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4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Unlike traditional studies of demonic lore, this groundbreaking collection delves into demonology through a purely philosophical lens. Edited by McCraw and Arp, it gathers essays from diverse scholars who engage in intellectual discourse, debate, and rigorous argumentation concerning the nature, existence, and implications of demonic entities. This volume moves beyond historical narratives or theological dogma, inviting readers to critically examine the philosophical underpinnings and ethical ramifications inherent in the concept of demonology. It's an academic exploration, not a grimoire.

McCraw, Benjamin W; , Arp, Robert

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🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Routledge 📅 2020 📖 298 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780367595234

Fun Fact

This collection is a bracing intellectual plunge into a traditionally sensational subject, offering profound philosophical rigor where often only folklore or dogma prevails. It excels in dissecting complex ideas with academic precision, making it indispensable for serious students of philosophy of religion and metaphysics. However, those seeking practical occult instruction or historical narratives will be sorely disappointed. It carves out a vital, often-overlooked niche in the study of evil and non-human intelligence.

📝 Description: Philosophical Approaches to Demonology

In contradistinction to the many monographs and edited volumes devoted to historical, cultural, or theological treatments of demonology, this collection features newly written papers by philosophers and other scholars engaged specifically in philosophical argument, debate, and dialogue involving ideas and topics in demonology. The contributors t

📑 What's inside

Introduction
Robert Arp and Benjamin W. McCraw
Part I. Demons in Christianity
1 Augustine and Aquinas on the Demonic
Benjamin W. McCraw
2 The Demonic Body: Demonic Ontology and the Domicile of the Demons in Apuleius and Augustine
Seamus O'Neill
3 Christian Demonology: A New Philosophical Perspective
Shandon L. Guthrie
4 Women as "The Devil's Gateway" A Feminist Critique of Christian Demonology
Jeff Ewing
Part II. Non-Christian Conceptions of Demons
5 Socrates' Demonic Sign (Daimonion Sēmeion)
Charlene Elsby
6 The Ecological Demon: Silent Running and Interstellar
Brian Willems
7 Demons of Seduction in Early Jewish Literature
Dawn Hutchinson
8 The Jinn and the Shayatīn
Edward Moad
9 Māra: Devā and Demon
Christopher Ketcham
Part III. Demons and Epistemological Issues
10 Justified Belief in the Existence of Demons is Impossible
David Kyle Johnson
11 Esoteric Spirituality, Devils and Demons: Introducing the Gnostic Vision of Modernity
Kristina Sipova
12 Re-Enchantment and Contemporary Demonology
Olli Petteri Pitkänen
Part IV. Demons in Moral and Social Philosophy
13 Whedon's Demons: The Immorality of Moral Clarity and the Ethics of Moral Complexity
Talia Morag
14 Modern Representations of Evil: Kant, Arendt, and the Devil in Goethe's Faust and Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita
Elvira Basevich
15 The Politics of Possession: Reading King James's Daemonologie Through the Lens of Mimetic Realism
Duncan Reyburn

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While McCraw and Arp provide a necessary academic corrective to sensationalist demonology, this collection is strictly for those with a strong background in philosophy or theology. It will likely frustrate readers seeking practical grimoires, historical anecdotes, or accessible spiritual guides. The dense, argumentative nature of the essays demands patience and intellectual rigor that casual occultists may not possess. However, for scholars willing to engage with complex ethical ramifications and existential questions, it offers a refreshing, grounded perspective. It is a scholarly tool, not a spellbook, and its value lies entirely in its analytical precision rather than mystical appeal.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is essential for academics, philosophers, and serious students of esotericism who seek to understand demonology through the lens of rigorous intellectual discourse rather than supernatural narrative. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse scholarly arguments regarding the nature and ethical implications of demonic entities without relying on historical myths or religious dogma. Readers who appreciate critical examination of philosophical underpinnings will find this collection invaluable for its focus on debate and argumentation. It serves as a vital resource for those looking to expand their understanding of how demonic concepts function within broader philosophical frameworks, providing depth and clarity where traditional texts often offer only lore.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're a discerning seeker who relishes intellectual challenge over sensationalism, and yearns to dissect the metaphysical questions surrounding malevolent entities, this collection is for you. It's ideal for those ready to apply critical thought to the shadowy corners of existence.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While McCraw and Arp provide a necessary academic corrective to sensationalist demonology, this collection is strictly for those with a strong background in philosophy or theology. It will likely frustrate readers seeking practical grimoires, historical anecdotes, or accessible spiritual guides. The dense, argumentative nature of the essays demands patience and intellectual rigor that casual occultists may not possess. However, for scholars willing to engage with complex ethical ramifications and existential questions, it offers a refreshing, grounded perspective. It is a scholarly tool, not a spellbook, and its value lies entirely in its analytical precision rather than mystical appeal.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this volume focuses exclusively on the *philosophical* arguments and debates surrounding demonology, rather than its historical or cultural development.

Absolutely not. This is an academic philosophical inquiry into the *concept* of demons, not a practical grimoire or guide to occult practices.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Philosophical Demonology

This collection uniquely frames demonology as a subject for philosophical inquiry, moving beyond cultural or theological narratives. It rigorously examines the conceptual frameworks, logical inconsistencies, and ethical dilemmas posed by the existence—or non-existence—of demonic entities, inviting a fresh intellectual perspective on ancient fears and beliefs.

Good & Evil Dichotomy

The work explores how demonic concepts interact with our understanding of good and evil, questioning whether demons represent absolute malevolence or are complex reflections of human morality. It delves into the philosophical implications of attributing evil to external forces versus internal human failings, offering nuanced arguments on moral philosophy.

Religious Philosophy & Cults

Examining the philosophical dimensions of religious beliefs about demons, the book also touches upon the intellectual underpinnings of cults that might invoke such entities. It scrutinizes the rationality and impact of faith-based demonology, probing how these beliefs shape worldview and influence societal structures, rather than detailing specific practices.

📜 Historical context

While demonology has roots in ancient mythologies and religious texts across millennia, this work consciously shifts focus from historical documentation to contemporary philosophical analysis. It situates itself within the broader tradition of critical thought applied to spiritual phenomena, akin to philosophical theology but with a specific, darker focus.

📚 Glossary

Demonology
Metaphysics
Philosophical Theology

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider the ethical implications if demonic entities were proven to exist. How would this challenge or reinforce your personal moral framework?
How does the philosophical concept of a 'demon' differ from its cultural or religious portrayals, and what does this distinction reveal about human understanding of evil?
Reflect on the idea of ultimate evil. Is it an inherent force, a human construct, or an external influence? How do philosophical arguments on demonology inform your view?