Reasonable Magic: A New Philosophical Defense of Esoterica w/Stephen Asma!

Reasonable Magic: A New Philosophical Defense of Esoterica - with Stephen Asma, PhD of the Chinwag podcast!

IN THE LIBRARY

In contemporary science and philosophy, the esoteric and occult are usually dismissed as irrational, anachronistic, and even gullible. In this presentation in the PRS Library, Professor Stephen Asma will mount a new defense of esoterica. Recently some philosophers have embraced a more embodied view of the mind, and Asma will use this perspective to reassess the value of occult theory and practice. In this illustrated talk we’ll consider how esoteric symbols, myths, and rituals help us to better manage emotions, construct mythopoetic meaning and purpose, and achieve embodied knowledge. We’ll include some discussion of animism, Hildegard Von Bingen, Cornelius Agrippa, Ann Conway, Emanuel Swedenborg, and contemporary divination practices.

Following the presentation Stephen Asma will be available to sign copies of his books, available for purchase in the PRS Bookstore.

Stephen Asma is Professor of Philosophy at Columbia College Chicago. He is author of ten books, includingThe Evolution of Imagination and On Monsters: an unnatural history of our worst fears. He has lectured at Harvard, Oxford, the Smithsonian, and many others, and writes regularly for the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and Aeon magazine. Together with actor Paul Giamatti, Asma is the co-host of the hit podcast Chinwag. Asma has lived and taught in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Beijing, and Shanghai China. As a Chicago musician Stephen has played live music with Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Bo Diddley, and many more blues and jazz artists.

Ticket Price: $10 (in-person event only).

Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

Host or Publisher The Philosophical Research Society