Episode #2 What is Gnosticsm? Why Does It Lead To Scientism?

Novum Organum, written in Latin and published in 1620, is a key work by Francis Bacon that critiques traditional deductive reasoning and Aristotelian logic. It proposes a new method of scientific inquiry based on inductive reasoning, emphasizing the importance of empirical observation and experimentation. The book is part of Bacon's larger, unfinished work, Instauratio Magna (The Great Instauration), and it introduces the concept of 'idols' that mislead human reasoning. Bacon's method involves meticulous observation, the removal of biases, and the systematic gathering of data to form conclusions, laying the groundwork for the modern scientific method.

Written around 1623 and published posthumously in 1627, 'New Atlantis' is a philosophical and utopian work by Francis Bacon. The story follows a group of sailors who discover the mysterious island of Bensalem, where they encounter a society governed by a democratically elected parliament and guided by the principles of Salomon’s House, an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the study of nature. The novel emphasizes the integration of science and ethics in governance and highlights Bacon’s vision of a society where knowledge and reason are central to human progress and happiness.

In 'The Gnostic Gospels', Elaine Pagels delves into the mysteries and meanings of the Gnostic texts discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945. These texts, including the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, present a diverse and often conflicting view of Jesus and early Christianity compared to the New Testament. Pagels examines how these gnostic texts challenged the orthodox Christian church, questioning the literal interpretation of Christ's resurrection, the gender of God, and the role of clergy. She highlights the individualistic and democratic nature of Gnosticism, which emphasized self-knowledge and spiritual search over hierarchical church doctrine. The book provides a comprehensive introduction to the gnostic movement and its significance in the history of Christianity.

John J. Robinson's "Born in Blood" delves into the captivating yet contentious hypothesis linking Freemasonry's origins to the medieval Knights Templar. The book investigates the historical and symbolic connections between the two orders, exploring secret rituals, shared symbols, and alleged hidden knowledge. Robinson presents a narrative that suggests the Templars, after their persecution, sought refuge and continued their traditions through the establishment of Freemasonry. This thesis has sparked debate among historians and Masonic scholars, with many questioning the factual accuracy and reliability of the evidence presented. Despite the controversy, "Born in Blood" remains a popular and influential work within Masonic circles, fueling speculation and intrigue about the fraternity's true origins. It invites readers to consider alternative interpretations of history and the potential for hidden legacies within fraternal organizations.

In this work, Robert Graves explores the concept of a single goddess figure that recurs in various European and pagan mythologies, often in a triple aspect as mother, daughter, and crone. Graves argues that this goddess was central to matriarchal societies before the rise of patriarchal religion. The book is a fusion of scholarship on folklore, mythology, religion, and poetry, and it delves into the connections between these fields and the sources of true poetry. Graves's work is both a scholarly quest and an intensely personal document that reflects his own inspiration and creative process.

In this book, Mircea Eliade examines how religious man (Homo religiosus) experiences the sacred and how these experiences form the basis of religions. He contrasts this with the profane mode of existence, arguing that even in modern, secular societies, traces of the sacred persist. Eliade introduces the concept of hierophany, the manifestation of the sacred in a profane space, and discusses how sacred spaces and rituals are created and sustained through these manifestations. He also explores the desacralization of modern life and its implications for human religious experience.

Published in 1904, 'The Golden Bowl' by Henry James is a complex and intense study of marriage and adultery. The novel revolves around Adam Verver, a wealthy American widower, and his daughter Maggie, who live in Europe and are deeply involved in art collecting. Maggie is engaged to Prince Amerigo, an impoverished Italian nobleman, through the arrangements of the manipulative Fanny Assingham. Unbeknownst to Maggie, Amerigo had a past relationship with Charlotte Stant, a friend of Maggie's, which is rekindled after Maggie and Amerigo's marriage. When Maggie discovers the truth through a gilded crystal bowl with a hidden flaw, she must navigate the intricate web of relationships and secrets within her family. The novel delves deeply into the consciousness of its central characters, offering powerful insights into their thoughts and feelings.