ABSTRACT
Based on a sociology of culture and knowledge, this chapter presents a theory of esoteric culture. It provides an interpretative framework and perspective for describing and analyzing multifarious beliefs, practices, and activities of contemporary Americans. The chapter focuses on: the social meanings of American esotericism as it is experienced and enacted by believers; the manner in which practitioners organize their beliefs and activities socially; and the procedures they employ to accomplish occult knowledge. Esoteric folklores and traditions have influenced American culture since the colonial period. Americans have drawn on successive European revivals, and they have innovatively contributed to esoteric culture. E. A. Tiryakian’s perspective on esoteric culture is insightful and helpful, but the general theoretical framework in which the formulation is located suffers from serious defects. Esoteric knowledge is composed of “theosophies” or “religiophilosophical” theories and doctrines. Contemporary esoteric culture is organized in the form of secret societies. Contemporary esoteric culture sometimes is organized in the form of secret societies.
