"I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defense the only arms I allow myself to use -- silence, exile, and cunning." -- James Joyce
Who Pulls John Gray's Strings?
My review of John Gray's most recent book is online at The American Conservative.
Gene, this is an interesting review, but I'm not sure that 'Gnosticism' is a good or correct way of categorizing the beliefs that Gray seems to espouse. Eugene Webb, someone who knew Voegelin personally, has a great essay on this: 'Voegelin’s 'Gnosticism” Reconsidered.'
Voegelin thought (and I think you even mentioned this in a comment on here) that he would have to reevaluate his thought on Gnosticism given light of new historical findings.
In light of these recent findings, Eugene Webb seems to think (and I'm curious as to what you think about this) that Voegelin should be read as someone found profound patterns of consciousness that led to spiritual and social disorder. Of course, this does not make Voegelin any less interesting and profound. I would say that my continued reading of him and the study of his thought is perhaps the high point of my philosophical journey so far.
Gene, this is an interesting review, but I'm not sure that 'Gnosticism' is a good or correct way of categorizing the beliefs that Gray seems to espouse. Eugene Webb, someone who knew Voegelin personally, has a great essay on this: 'Voegelin’s 'Gnosticism” Reconsidered.'
ReplyDeleteVoegelin thought (and I think you even mentioned this in a comment on here) that he would have to reevaluate his thought on Gnosticism given light of new historical findings.
In light of these recent findings, Eugene Webb seems to think (and I'm curious as to what you think about this) that Voegelin should be read as someone found profound patterns of consciousness that led to spiritual and social disorder. Of course, this does not make Voegelin any less interesting and profound. I would say that my continued reading of him and the study of his thought is perhaps the high point of my philosophical journey so far.
"but I'm not sure that 'Gnosticism' is a good or correct way of categorizing the beliefs that Gray seems to espouse."
DeleteNo: Gray is a *critic* of Gnosticism! And Gray is the one using the term: I didn't pick it.
Ahh right. Yeah I see that now.
ReplyDelete