Great article, though I feel your learned (and useful) explication somewhat undermines your title (as does Kurlanderâs book). Evansâ article (which I didnât re-read) seems to be on solid ground. Consider this quote from Kurlander on parapsychology which could be applied to some aspects of the MAHA-adjacent psychedelic movement today:
âThey were popular manifestations of a âscientific esotericism' that sought legitimacy within the scientific establishment and across a broader public. Despite attacks by state officials, liberals, even conservative religious groups, occultism and border science continued to grow in popularity, becoming 'not only an upstart religion but also an upstart science.â In producing a 'science of the soul,â a reenchanted science that transcended both scientific materialism and traditional religion, the border sciences allowed Germans the chance to challenge the authority of both.â
Glad to see Lachmanâs excellent âDark Starâ mentioned. It is seldom noticed that one of Americaâs preeminent essayists, Wendell Berry, is also a (âsoftâ) Traditionalist (and perennialist, of sorts) himself.
Occultism in Nazi ideology might be overestimated in popular culture, but it is by no means a âmythâ and, in my opinion, considering the current intellectual climate, could use more intelligent analyses such as yours. Thanks.
My reference to myth connotes widespread or "everyone knows" acceptance of a Nazi-occult connection, which, as you note and does the article, has an element of fact obfuscating a larger and more complex history.
Great article, though I feel your learned (and useful) explication somewhat undermines your title (as does Kurlanderâs book). Evansâ article (which I didnât re-read) seems to be on solid ground. Consider this quote from Kurlander on parapsychology which could be applied to some aspects of the MAHA-adjacent psychedelic movement today:
âThey were popular manifestations of a âscientific esotericism' that sought legitimacy within the scientific establishment and across a broader public. Despite attacks by state officials, liberals, even conservative religious groups, occultism and border science continued to grow in popularity, becoming 'not only an upstart religion but also an upstart science.â In producing a 'science of the soul,â a reenchanted science that transcended both scientific materialism and traditional religion, the border sciences allowed Germans the chance to challenge the authority of both.â
Glad to see Lachmanâs excellent âDark Starâ mentioned. It is seldom noticed that one of Americaâs preeminent essayists, Wendell Berry, is also a (âsoftâ) Traditionalist (and perennialist, of sorts) himself.
Occultism in Nazi ideology might be overestimated in popular culture, but it is by no means a âmythâ and, in my opinion, considering the current intellectual climate, could use more intelligent analyses such as yours. Thanks.
My reference to myth connotes widespread or "everyone knows" acceptance of a Nazi-occult connection, which, as you note and does the article, has an element of fact obfuscating a larger and more complex history.