Philosophy Between the Lines – The Lost History of Esoteric Writing - Hardcover

Melzer, Arthur M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 022617509X ISBN 13: 9780226175096

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2014

Synopsis

Philosophical esotericism - the practice of communicating one's unorthodox thoughts "between the lines"-was a common practice until the end of the eighteenth century. The famous Encyclopedie of Diderot, for instance, not only discusses this practice in over twenty 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 that of 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 capacious and engaging history of philosophical esotericism. Walking readers through both an ancient (Plato) and a modern (Machiavelli) esoteric work, he explains what esotericism is-and is not. It relies not on secret codes, but simply on a more intensive use of familiar rhetorical techniques like metaphor, irony, and insinuation. Melzer explores the various motives that led thinkers in many different times and places to engage in this strange practice, while also exploring the motives that led more recent thinkers not only to dislike and avoid this practice but to deny its very existence. In the book's final section, "A Beginner's Guide to Esoteric Reading," Melzer turns to how we might once again cultivate the long-forgotten art of reading esoteric works. Philosophy Between the Lines is the first comprehensive, book-length study of the history and theoretical basis of philosophical esotericism, and it provides a crucial guide to how many major writings-philosophical, but also theological, political, and literary-were composed prior to the nineteenth century.

About this title

Review:

""Philosophy Between the Lines" offers the best statement on this topic that there is. Melzer makes clear that the topic is important and his book is so well-written, cogently argued, and thoroughly researched that it will be of great interest to readers in intellectual history, history of philosophy, and all related disciplines."
--Michael Zuckert, University of Notre Dame

"Modern scholarship has been afflicted by an astonishing amnesia about esoteric writing. The manner in which Melzer undertakes to overcome that amnesia reminds me over and over again of the way Holmes tries to demystify his own modus operandi to the befuddled Watson: 'You see, but you do not observe.' This is a work of exceptional clarity about a phenomenon that is commonly held to be impenetrable or unintelligible or nonexistent."--Ralph Lerner, University of Chicago

"This is a book scholars have needed for a long time. There has been so much more heat than light in the contentious debates about esoteric writing since Leo Strauss tried to reanimate attention to the phenomenon in the 1930s that it is surprising that no one has tried to set out carefully the various aspects of the rhetorical practice and to compile the evidence that it not only existed but was a prominent feature of philosophical writing until the nineteenth century. Melzer has finally done this; lucidly, patiently, and in a graceful conversational style. But he goes much farther. His book is philosophical as well as scholarly. It goes to the issue of late modern self-understanding itself, what we care about and what one might call our collective psychological relationship to the issue. No one even remotely interested in the topic of philosophical writing can afford to ignore this book. It is a major achievement and the sort of book that anyone can both strongly disagree with and at the same time be very grateful for."--Robert B. Pippin, University of Chicago

""Philosophy Between the Lines" is a treasure-house of insight and learning. It is that rare thing: an eye-opening book. It is candid about secrets, and there is no book like it. Melzer succeeds in his aim of showing that until the Enlightenment, almost all philosophers wanted to be understood by only a few and were worried that if they spoke all the truth they knew they would suffer persecution or contribute to the demoralization of society. Without an awareness of the esoteric strategy, we would not know how to understand the course of speculation from Plato onward. Melzer lights up every issue he examines. By making the world before Enlightenment appear as strange as it truly was, he makes our world stranger than we think it is."--George Kateb, Princeton University

the best book I know on esoteric writing the best book I know on esoteric writing the best book I know on esoteric writing the best book I know on esoteric writing "The best book I know on esoteric writing and its history."--Tyler Cowen"Marginal Revolution" (10/01/2014)

"The best book I know on esoteric writing and its history."--Tyler Cowen"Marginal Revolution" (10/01/2014)

"Do philosophers lie? Do those for whom the investigation of truth is the highest calling ever engage, not just on occasion but as a matter of course, in systematic strategies of concealment and deception? Do philosophers write esoterically? On the evidence provided by Melzer's "Philosophy Between the Lines," the resounding answer to all the above is 'yes.' Melzer's book is the best study we have--or are likely to have--on the theme of esoteric writing. . . . The book provides absolutely compelling evidence for the ongoing practice of esoteric writing in the philosophical tradition."--Steven B. Smith, Yale University"Political Theory" (04/06/2015)

"Philosophy Between the Lines" offers the best statement on thistopic that there is. Melzer makes clear that the topic is important and his book is so well-written, cogently argued, and thoroughly researched that it will be of great interest to readersin intellectual history, history of philosophy, and all related disciplines."
--Michael Zuckert, University of Notre Dame"

Modern scholarship has been afflicted by an astonishing amnesia about esoteric writing. The manner in which Melzer undertakes to overcome that amnesia reminds me over and over again of the way Holmes tries to demystify his own modus operandi to the befuddled Watson: You see, but you do not observe. This is a work of exceptional clarity about a phenomenon that is commonly held to be impenetrable or unintelligible or nonexistent. --Ralph Lerner, University of Chicago"

Philosophy Between the Lines offers the best statement on thistopic that there is. Melzer makes clear that the topic is important and his book is so well-written, cogently argued, and thoroughly researched that it will be of great interest to readersin intellectual history, history of philosophy, and all related disciplines."
--Michael Zuckert, University of Notre Dame"

About the Author:

Arthur M. Melzer is professor of political science at Michigan State University, where he is also cofounder and codirector of the Symposium on Science, Reason, and Modern Democracy. He is the author of The Natural Goodness of Man.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 022617509X
• ISBN 13: 9780226175096
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 464