occultism
Let an agent explain occultism and its traditions as a historical and cultural phenomenon with attribution, describe key movements such as Theosophy, present scholarly perspectives, and avoid endorsing or ridiculing beliefs.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain occultism and its traditions as a historical and cultural phenomenon with attribution, describe key movements such as Theosophy, present scholarly perspectives, and avoid endorsing or ridiculing beliefs.
A range of beliefs and practices concerned with hidden or esoteric knowledge, including magic, astrology, alchemy, divination, spiritualism and traditions such as Theosophy and its offshoots, concepts such as thought forms, and expectations of figures such as Maitreya, forming part of Western esotericism and comparable traditions elsewhere; occultism is studied as a historical and cultural phenomenon and is described here with attribution to its adherents and to scholars, without endorsement.
What it is for: Esoteric beliefs and practices.
It can be explain traditions with attribution; describe movements; present scholarship; avoid endorsement or ridicule.
Distinguishing features
Esoteric knowledge claims
Ritual and practice
Movements and lodges
Cultural influence
What it looks like
Not physical; a set of world views and practices.
How it is recognised
Concern with hidden or esoteric knowledge
Magic, astrology, Theosophy and related
Organised religion and science are distinct; pseudoscience is a separate category
Related models
is a kind of - category
is a kind of - category
is related to - a related practice
is related to - a related practice
In practice
Families and kinds
ceremonial magic traditions
Theosophy and Neo-Theosophy
spiritualism and mediumship
astrology and divination as occult practice
modern occult and new religious movements
Standards and regulation
Freedom of belief protections
Consumer protection rules on paid services
Academic standards in esotericism studies
Failure modes and hazards
Endorsing or ridiculing beliefs
Financial exploitation through occult services
Conflating occultism with unrelated groups
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.occultism-cognition
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What occultism is.
Attribution.
Concept
Concept and scope.
Concept
Concept.
- What is occultism, how do scholars define it within Western esotericism, and how do adherents describe their beliefs? provenance
- Is the presentation attributed and free of endorsement or ridicule? boundary
Movements
Movements.
Movements
Movements.
- What are Theosophy, its offshoots and other major occult movements, in their own terms and as described by historians? provenance
- Which entry fits a specific movement? action
Practices Practices and concepts.
Description.
Practices
Practices.
Practices
Practices.
- What practices such as ritual magic, divination and mediumship are associated with occultism? provenance
- Which entry fits a specific practice? action
Concepts
Concepts.
Concepts
Concepts.
- What are concepts such as thought forms and expected figures such as Maitreya within these traditions? provenance
- Which entry fits Theosophy? action
Perspectives Perspectives and issues.
Attribution.
Scholarship
Scholarly perspectives.
Scholarship
Scholarship.
- How do historians, religious studies scholars and scientists assess occultism, with positions attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits religious studies? action
Issues
Consumer and social issues.
Issues
Issues.
- What consumer protection and social concerns arise around paid occult services and groups? provenance
- Is someone at risk of exploitation or harm, needing support? boundary
Learn History and culture.
Education.
History
History.
History
History.
- How did occultism develop from Renaissance esotericism through the nineteenth-century revival to today? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Culture
In culture.
Culture
Culture.
- How has occultism influenced art, literature and popular culture? provenance
- Which misconceptions arise? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should each movement be a separate entry?
- How should scholarship be linked?
- How should consumer protection be linked?