Science, Politics, And Gnosticism

First published in 1968, Science, Politics and Gnosticism comprises two essays by Eric Voegelin (1901–85), arguably one of the most provocative and influential political philosophers of the last century. In these essays, Voegelin contends that certain modern movements, including positivism, Hegelianism, Marxism, and the "God is dead" school, are variants of the gnostic tradition he identified in his classic work The New Science of Politics. Voegelin attempts to resolve the intellectual confusion that has resulted from the dominance of gnostic thought by clarifying the distinction between political gnosticism and the philosophy of politics. Including an introduction by the noted Voegelin scholar Ellis Sandoz, this book’s brief exposition of key Voegelinian concepts makes it especially valuable for those seeking a deeper understanding of the fundamental thrust of Voegelin’s thought.