Chapter 3 Metaphysics and Esotericism

Metaphysics and esotericism both explore questions beyond the immediate physical world, but they do so in different ways and with different focuses. Here’s a comparison of their similarities and differences:

3.1 Similarities

  1. Exploration of the Beyond: Both metaphysics and esotericism deal with concepts that go beyond the tangible and observable, such as the nature of reality, existence, and the universe.

  2. Interest in the Fundamental: They both seek to understand fundamental truths about the world, though their methods and conclusions may differ.

  3. Speculative Nature: Both can involve speculative thinking, as they often address questions that are not easily answered through empirical observation alone.

3.2 Differences

  1. Methodology:
    • Metaphysics: Typically uses philosophical reasoning and logical analysis to explore questions about existence, reality, and the nature of things. It’s a branch of philosophy with a focus on rational inquiry.
    • Esotericism: Uses intuitional thinking supported by the Law of Analogy (“As Above, So Below”). It often involves mystical, spiritual, or occult practices and beliefs. It may include rituals, symbolism, and some teachings that may be considered hidden or secret, accessible only to initiates.
  2. Focus and Content:
    • Metaphysics: Concentrates on abstract concepts such as being, time, space, causality, and identity. It seeks to understand the principles that underlie reality.
    • Esotericism: May focus on spiritual enlightenment, hidden knowledge, and the inner dimensions of reality. It often includes elements of mysticism, alchemy, astrology, and other spiritual traditions.
  3. Accessibility:
    • Metaphysics: Generally aims to be accessible through reasoned argument and discussion, open to anyone interested in philosophical inquiry.
    • Esotericism: Often involves teachings that are considered “hidden,” intended for those who are initiated or have special insight and/or extrasensory perception.

3.3 The Five Senses

The five senses develop in a natural sequence. First we hear, then we touch and then see, with taste and smell later deriving from a refined sense of touch.

As the microscope and the telescope serve as extensions of the physical senses for scientific research, so may clairaudience, clairsentience and clairvoyance be considered extensions of the physical senses accessible to esoteric researchers with extrasensory perception.

We may correlate the five core branches of philosophy with the five senses in a metaphorical way.

  1. Epistemology: Might be compared to hearing, as it involves “listening” to the sources of knowledge and understanding how we come to know things.

  2. Ethics: Could relate to touch, as it deals with the “feel” of right and wrong, and how we interact with others.

  3. Metaphysics: Could be likened to sight, as it seeks to “see” beyond the physical world and understand the nature of reality.

  4. Aesthetics: Naturally aligns with taste, as “good taste” explores what is beautiful or pleasing, much like how we taste flavors.

  5. Logic: Might be associated with smell, as it involves discerning (“sniffing out”) valid arguments and reasoning, detecting the scent of truth.

These correlations — and there may be other ways to relate the five senses — may offer a creative way to think about how philosophy engages with different aspects of human experience.

In summary, while both metaphysics and esotericism explore profound questions about reality, they do so through different lenses and with different methodologies. These differences are most evident in the study of near-death experiences.