Philosophy Across the Lines: Or Why I Love Arthur Melzer's Book and Remain a Progressive

Abstract

Arthur Melzer's outstanding book decisively proves the historical prevalence of esoteric writing and persuasively identifies four main types. It also provides reasons why the worldviews that long made esotericism seem necessary should not be dismissed, reasons that should give pause to proponents of progressive reform agendas. There still remain, however, good reasons to think that such agendas can and should be prudently pursued.