In this episode I am joined by Dr James Justin Sledge, a professor of philosophy and religion specialising in the Western Esoteric tradition and founder of the popular Esoterica Youtube channel.
Dr Sledge recounts how his working class upbringing profoundly influenced both his view of academia and his work ethic within it. He recounts his early fascination with philosophers and mystics, and recalls his studies in religion, philosophy, and the occult.
Dr Sledge discusses the importance of language learning in academic study of religion and shares his own practical strategies for achieving competency in several ancient and modern languages including Latin, Hebrew, German, French, Akkadian, and more.
Dr Sledge also shares his views on education, diagnoses its problems and offers solutions, gives advice to the self-learner, and reveals his surprising view on whether attaining enlightenment is worth the effort.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep248-esoterica-academia-dr-justin-sledge
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:07 - Working class upbringing in Misissipi
03:03 - Limited access to education
04:13 - Exploitation in academia
05:20 - Fascination with Aristotle
08:55 - Accidentally entering college
11:28 - Dr Sledge’s experience in college
12:58 - Double majoring in religious studies and philosophy while working full time
1408 - Studying Western Esotericism in Amsterdam, Holland
15:44 - Bad reputation of Western Esotericism in academia
18:07 - Lessons learned studying in Amsterdam
20:37 - Distaste of punching down
21:44 - Surprising difference between USA and European education
24:47 - Toxicity in American academia
25:57 - How should we educate ourselves?
28:42 - Intellectual aristocracy or a cartel?
29:50 - Educating through Youtube
31:47 - How would Dr Sledge fix the American education system?
34:42 - The importance for scholars to read French and German
37:28 - Learning Latin and Hebrew, reading the Bible in the original language
39:50 - How to learn ancient languages
41:56 - Philology and the dirty secret of The Key of Solomon
43:56 - Copying out texts and scrolls
46:46 - Dr Sledge shows scrolls he has copied by hand
49:59 - Dr Sledge’s highly structured work and study life
58:24 - Common mistakes when learning Latin and other languages
01:01:21 - Pedagogical data and living Latin
01:05:48 - Dr Sledge’s advice for young students who wish to go to University
01:06:56 - Advice for the autodidacts
01:09:54 - The importance of education
01:13:30 - Why Dr Sledge doesn’t want to become enlightened
01:15:10 - The horror of heaven
01:16:15 - How Dr Sledge wants to die
01:16:47 - Enlightenment isn’t worth it
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To find out more about Dr Justin Sledge, visit:
- https://www.justinsledge.com/
- https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
