Concept in Definition ABC

Like many other concepts, that of exotericism acquires its true meaning if we compare it with its antonym, esotericism. Both are general terms that can be applied to certain philosophical or religious doctrines of antiquity.

Exotericism versus esotericism

In the philosophical schools of Ancient Greece there was a clear distinction between two types of knowledge: some for initiates and others for an intellectual and spiritual elite. Thus, the works of Aristotle were divided into two categories: the esoteric and the exoteric. The former were intended for his disciples at the Lyceum and in them it was possible to know in depth a certain subject, such as logic, ethics or metaphysics Aristotelian. Regarding the exoteric works, it should be noted that none of them is preserved, but through some references it is known that they were directed to the non-specialized public.

This initial distinction between esotericism and exotericism has served as a reference for some religions or philosophical schools of the ancient world. In this sense, it is worth remembering that about Plato, Aristotle's teacher, exoteric works are preserved, that is, those that were directed to the general public.

Exotericism is not a concrete knowledge but it refers to a lower level of knowledge than esotericism.

In this way, an initiate in a doctrine finds himself on the exoteric plane, while someone who knows one in depth school Philosophical is on the esoteric plane.

In some religions, especially Islam and Judaism, a clear distinction is still made between the two concepts to delimit the level of depth of knowledge. The alchemists of the Middle Ages they also divided their knowledge in two blueprints: the writings of this discipline were part of exotericism and interpretation profound belonged to the realm of esotericism.

From the 19th century on, the classical distinction between the two concepts disappeared.

With the spread of knowledge in schools and at the university level, the world academic The 19th century abandons the traditional distinction between exotericism and esotericism. In this way, all discipline is exoteric, since it is aimed at anyone who wants to learn it.

The concept of esoteric acquired a new meaning and began to be used to refer to a set of non-scientific disciplines that have a dimension spiritual and mysterious, such as tantrism, theosophy, astrology or the occult. The disciplines that are part of esotericism make up the so-called occult sciences.

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