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The Globalization of Esotericism

Wouter J. Hanegraaff

UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) April 30, 2026 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19922229 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex

Summary

AI-generated from the abstract

The article examines the concept of 'Orientalism' as a framework for understanding how Western thought has historically constructed and essentialized 'the East,' arguing that this epistemological approach has shaped disciplines from philosophy to religious studies. It traces parallels between Orientalist discourse and contemporary globalization, suggesting that modern terminology and appropriation of non-Western ideas often perpetuate Eurocentric biases. The work calls for critical reflection on how scholars engage with globality, urging a move beyond simplistic dichotomies to recognize the complex, interconnected histories that challenge both essentialist and modernist narratives in sociology, anthropology, and law.

Study at a glance

Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Keywords Conceptualization Essentialism Epistemology Orientalism Eurocentrism
Citations 39

Abstract

Correspondences 3 (2015), 55-91.

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