Sociology of the Occult

Summary

This paper traces the development of the sociology of the occult through the works of C. Campbell, E. Tiryakian, M. Truzzi, and J. Webb, culminating in C. Partridge's theory of occulture. Partridge merges earlier sociological insights with modern Western esotericism research to identify traces of esoteric traditions in popular culture. The theory is linked to W. Hanegraaff's work and is evaluated against four main approaches to studying Western esotericism. The paper demonstrates occulture's heuristic value by analyzing forms influenced by Eastern doctrines and Christian demonology.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The paper deals with the history of the “sociology of the occult”. It examines main stages of its development exemplified by works of C. Campbell, E. Tiryakian, M. Truzzi, J. Webb. The latest expression of ideas of this school is the theory of occulture proposed by the British religious scholar and researcher of culture C. Partridge. Partridge has combined the achievements of sociology of the occult with modern theories related to the study of Western esotericism. His concept of occulture aims at the identifi cation of traces of Western esotericism in modern popular culture. This paper shows the heuristic value of the theory of occulture and analyses main forms of occulture developed under the influence of Eastern doctrines and Christian demonology. Partridge’s theory fi ts into the general context of research into Western esotericism and is related to the conception of W. Hanegraaff. In conclusion, the theory of occulture is correlated with the four main approaches to the study of Western esotericism.