Environmentalism and Duane Elgin’s Concept of Voluntary Simplicity As Examples of Implicit Esotericism
Andrzej Kasperek
Implicit Religion May 30, 2017 DOI: 10.1558/imre.30628 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that environmentalism is shaped by implicit esotericism, particularly the Romantic reinterpretation of the Western esoteric tradition, and that treating environmentalism as implicit Calvinism has limitations. The author develops this through an analysis of the writings of Duane Elgin, a creator of the voluntary simplicity movement, which the article treats as part of the environmentalist milieu. |
Abstract
The article focuses on the interpretation of environmentalism in the categories of implicit esotericism. Referring to the existing tradition of treating environmentalism as a case of implicit Calvinism, the author points to some limitations of this view and emphasizes the significance of the Romantic reinterpretation of the Western esoteric tradition and its role in the history of environmentalism. The analysis of the works written by Duane Elgin, one of the creators of the voluntary simplicity movement, is especially highlighted in the presented study. This movement is treated in the article as a part of the environmentalist milieu.