Preview
  • Philosophy Between the Lines

  • The Lost History of Esoteric Writing
  • By: Arthur M. Melzer
  • Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright
  • Length: 18 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (16 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Philosophy Between the Lines

By: Arthur M. Melzer
Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Philosophical esotericsim - the practice of communicating one's unorthodox thoughts "between the lines" - was a common practice until the end of the 18th century. The famous Encyclopedie of Diderot, for instance, not only discusses this practice in over 20 different articles, but admits to employing it itself. The history of Western thought contains hundreds of such statements by major philosophers testifying to the use of esoteric writing in their own work or others'. Despite this long and well-documented history, however, esotericism is often dismissed today as a rare occurrence. But by ignoring esotericism, we risk cutting ourselves off from a full understanding of Western philosophical thought.

Arthur M. Melzer serves as our deeply knowledgeable guide in this engaging history of philosophical esotericism. Walking listeners through both an ancient (Plato) and a modern (Machiavelli) esoteric work, he explains what esotericism is - and is not. Melzer explores the various motives that led thinkers in different times and places to engage in this strange practice, while also exploring the motives that lead more recent thinkers not only to dislike and avoid this practice but to deny its very existence. In the book's final section, Melzer turns to how we might once again cultivate the long-forgotten art of reading esoteric works.

©2014 The University of Chicago (P)2021 Tantor
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Philosophy Between the Lines

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.