Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) cover image

Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

Matthew Melvin-Koushki on Islam, ‘the West’, and Western Esotericism

Jan 21, 2025
Matthew Melvin-Koushki, a Professor of Islamic History at the University of South Carolina, returns to discuss the vital interconnections between Islam and the West. He argues for a more inclusive historical framework that embraces Islamic contributions to Western esotericism, challenging Eurocentric narratives. The conversation explores significant historical upheavals, the cultural richness of the Islamic Golden Age, and innovations like Idrisi's landmark map, all of which reveal a complex, intertwined heritage that reshapes our understanding of history.
01:04:29

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Reconsidering historical periodizations is essential to understanding the interplay of cultures, particularly highlighting the impact of Islam on Western esotericism.
  • Western esotericism is deeply intertwined with Islamic intellectual traditions, indicating that a more integrated understanding is necessary for its comprehensive study.

Deep dives

The Importance of Reperiodization in History

The discussion begins with the need to reconsider traditional periodizations of history, particularly in the context of regions outside of Western Europe. Scholars are now suggesting frameworks such as 'first millennium studies', which acknowledges significant disruptive periods like the spread of Islam, the Mongol conquests, and European colonialism. These epochs not only reshaped political landscapes but also impacted cultural and intellectual exchanges across Afro-Eurasia. By revising how we approach historical timelines and maps, scholars can more accurately contextualize the development of ideas and relationships between cultures throughout history.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode