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The Philosophy of Magic
extremely rare,very good condition
- GenresPhilosophyMagickOccult
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 1986
5 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Versluis
64 books31 followersArthur Versluis, Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University, holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has published numerous books and articles.
Among his many books are Platonic Mysticism (SUNY Press 2017), American Gurus (Oxford UP, 2014), Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esotericism (Rowman Littlefield, 2007), The New Inquisitions: Heretic-hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism (Oxford UP, 2006), Restoring Paradise: Esoteric Transmission through Literature and Art (SUNY: 2004); The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance (Oxford UP: 2001); Wisdom’s Book: The Sophia Anthology, (Paragon House, 2000); Island Farm (MSU Press, 2000); Wisdom’s Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition (SUNY: 1999); and American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions (Oxford UP, 1993).
His family has owned a commercial farm in West Michigan for several generations, and so he also published a book called Island Farm about the family farm, and about family farming in the modern era.
Versluis was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Germany, and is the editor of JSR: Journal for the Study of Radicalism. He is the founding president of Hieros, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on spirituality and cultural renewal.
Among his many books are Platonic Mysticism (SUNY Press 2017), American Gurus (Oxford UP, 2014), Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esotericism (Rowman Littlefield, 2007), The New Inquisitions: Heretic-hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism (Oxford UP, 2006), Restoring Paradise: Esoteric Transmission through Literature and Art (SUNY: 2004); The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance (Oxford UP: 2001); Wisdom’s Book: The Sophia Anthology, (Paragon House, 2000); Island Farm (MSU Press, 2000); Wisdom’s Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition (SUNY: 1999); and American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions (Oxford UP, 1993).
His family has owned a commercial farm in West Michigan for several generations, and so he also published a book called Island Farm about the family farm, and about family farming in the modern era.
Versluis was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Germany, and is the editor of JSR: Journal for the Study of Radicalism. He is the founding president of Hieros, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on spirituality and cultural renewal.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 1, 2017
This is a wonderful 101 level introduction for a serious study magic. As a student of Buddhism, Versluis' use of eastern thought to frame and explain some of the lost schools of western thought is refreshing, though I imagine that someone who is unfamiliar with Zen, Bon, and other eastern religions might struggle. I'm mostly happy to have read it for the selected bibliography which I plan to use as a tools map out more reading on the topic.
November 1, 2012
I have mixed feelings about The Philosophy of Magic by Arthur Versluis. On one hand, it's a fascinating exploration of the relationship between magic and religion, and I think that Versluis is right when he says that every religion has an element of magic. Even religions that seem against the very concept of magic still employ elements of it, and the journey towards becoming more "godly" is a magical and an alchemical one.
On the other hand, I think he's wrong in his insistence that for magic to be "pure" and "good", as opposed to "base" and "evil,' it must come from a old, established tradition. Perhaps I'm biased; as a practicing Chaos Magician working within a Kemetic Pagan framework that I am discovering on my own, I obviously prefer an experimental approach to magic. Versluis would say that my brand of magic is, at best, "psychicism," and at worst, "black magic."
That said, Versluis draws from many sources and many cultures, and his observations are valid ones. The Philosophy of Magic is good; just take it with a grain of salt.
On the other hand, I think he's wrong in his insistence that for magic to be "pure" and "good", as opposed to "base" and "evil,' it must come from a old, established tradition. Perhaps I'm biased; as a practicing Chaos Magician working within a Kemetic Pagan framework that I am discovering on my own, I obviously prefer an experimental approach to magic. Versluis would say that my brand of magic is, at best, "psychicism," and at worst, "black magic."
That said, Versluis draws from many sources and many cultures, and his observations are valid ones. The Philosophy of Magic is good; just take it with a grain of salt.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews