ESSWE10

The 10th Biennial Conference of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism

ESOTERICISM AND RATIONALITY

Vilnius University, Lithuania, June 26-28, 2025

To propose an abstract visit: www.esswe10.lt

The emergence of esotericism as an academic field has led scholars to reassess the simplistic ways in which it used to be treated by previous generations of historians, while questioning the cultural assumptions that informed traditional approaches to research. Central to this reassessment is the debate on rationality, which has traditionally positioned esotericism as in some way “irrational.” This conference will therefore be focused on exploring the complex relationship between esotericism and rationality.

The study of esotericism specifically raises questions about transcending the binary of rationality versus irrationality and questioning established academic norms. These problematics are intimately connected to key theoretical and methodological concerns and to historical, psychological, anthropological as well as multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the field. We hope to foster a comprehensive discussion about the various aspects and manifestations of rationality as they emerge within the multifaceted domain of esotericism, thus encouraging scholars from disciplines such as history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, cultural and art studies, philosophy, political science, education, and others to return to this foundational issue in the field.

Furthermore, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of ESSWE and the 10th ESSWE conference, we extend an invitation to not only reflect on the past research that the study of esotericism has undertaken but also to critically examine its evolution and the diverse methodological paths it has explored over the years. We invite papers that analyze the development of the study of esotericism, consider shifts in scholarly approaches, and explore how these changes have shaped our understanding of esotericism.

Building on the themes mentioned above, this year’s ESSWE conference invites participants to explore and discuss various aspects of esotericism and rationality in the broadest possible sense. Possible topics for discussion include, but are not limited to:

• Concepts and understandings of rationality in global and local, historical and contemporary contexts of esotericism;
• The relationship between rationality and irrationality;
• The disenchantment, secularization, and rationalization of the world;
• Methodological inquiries into the relationship between rationality and esotericism;
• Challenges researchers face in their attempts to explore rationalities in esotericism;
• Alternative and divergent rationalities, scientification, and legitimization strategies within esotericism;
• Text, body, movement, music, space, and other media that embody diverse rationalities;
• Intersections of concepts of rationality with gender, race, colonialism, and other concepts, processes, and issues;
• The development of the study of esotericism.

Organized by:

European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE), Lithuanian Esotericism Study Group

(LESG) at Lithuanian Society for the Study of Religions (LSSR), Vilnius University (VU), Vytautas Magnus

University (VMU)

Organisational team:

Adas Diržys, Eglė Aleknaitė-Škarubskė, Ina Kiseliova-El Marassy, Aušra Pažėraitė, Vytis

Silius, Deimantas Valančiūnas

Scientific committee:

Eglė Aleknaitė-Škarubskė, Henrik Bogdan, Adas Diržys, Aušra Pažėraitė, Manon Hedenborg White

Contacts for information: conference@seventips.lt, +370 682 28647