The Globalization of Esotericism
UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) April 30, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19922229 via OpenAlex 39 citations
Summary
The article examines the concept of 'Orientalism' as a framework for understanding how Western thought has historically constructed and essentialized 'the East,' arguing that this epistemological approach has shaped disciplines from philosophy to religious studies. It traces parallels between Orientalist discourse and contemporary globalization, suggesting that modern terminology and appropriation of non-Western ideas often perpetuate Eurocentric biases. The work calls for critical reflection on how scholars engage with globality, urging a move beyond simplistic dichotomies to recognize the complex, interconnected histories that challenge both essentialist and modernist narratives in sociology, anthropology, and law.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Orientalist frameworks in Western thought continue to influence scholarly and global discourses, requiring a critical re-evaluation of how non-Western ideas are conceptualized and appropriated. |
Abstract
Correspondences 3 (2015), 55-91.