Gnosticism and modernity in the thought of Eric Voegelin (1901-1985)

Abstract

The proposal of this study is to theoretically address the thinking of the German-American philosopher and political scientist Eric Voegelin (1901-1985). Focusing on his assertion that Gnosticism is the foundation of modernity, this study seeks to understand the relationship between Gnosticism and modernity. Two concepts in his theory will be used as the fundamental theoretical basis for this research: political religions and Gnosticism. The work is divided into an introduction to the theme, followed by three chapters and the conclusion. The introduction addresses the historical-political context that provides the base for the emergence of modernity and totalitarian movements. While the biography of the author is used to search for essential elements to understand his position of unrestricted combat to ideologies, particularly in relation to German national-socialism and Stalinist socialism. Voegelin demonstrates that the symbolic, spiritual and transcendent dimension of the being is relegated to an inferior, non-existent or trivialized position from the critique of the positivist movement. This movement regards natural science and its methods as par excellence apprehension of reality, causing a deformation of the truth, which may manifest itself in ideological dogmas or doctrines. The second chapter introduces his notion that Gnosticism is the foundation of modern society; insofar as dissatisfaction with the current order, the belief and desire to change the individual through knowledge, stand as contrary to the development of being. This points to a trend in modern ideological movements to the immanentization of Christian eschatology. In the third chapter, we present the main discussions about the limits and scope of his theory and his approach to a philosophy of Consciousness. This chapter also considers the possibilities of using it for the comprehension of totalitarian phenomena nowadays, seen by Voegelin as a pneumopathological disease. It was concluded that Voegelin, categorical in pointing to the need for a new approach to social and political science, evidenced a religious structure in modern, secular movements. The concept of Gnosticism as the foundation of modernity, though revised by the author himself and still today fomenting controversy, can thus be a starting point for further studies since it emphasizes the need to expand consciousness for the restoration of social and political order. It also includes the transcendent aspect of being, expressed in its symbols and in its religious experiences throughout history, further contributing to the understanding of modernity.