Workshop : Sat 21 of February - 10:30 AM

The role of Religion, Esoteric Philosophy and Spirituality in History

What are the driving forces of history? The common view is that history is a product of economic forces, struggles for power or simple egomania. However, without denying the above factors, the thesis for this seminar is that there are also spiritual influences at work, such as religion and esoteric philosophy, whose impact has been generally underestimated.

It cannot be denied that religion often has a divisive effect, but it is also interesting to consider its benefits for humanity. Even more so is this the case with esoteric philosophy, whose adherents may have been numerically few but whose ideals and practical schemes for the betterment of humanity have influenced whole societies and epochs.

The seminar is based on research into the works of the cultural historian Christopher Dawson, a specialist on the role of religion on history, and Dr. Frances Yates, a lecturer at the Warburg Institute, who illustrated in her many erudite works the important influence of esoteric philosophical thought on the Renaissance in Europe.  

Location: 18 Compton Terrace N1 2UN, next door to Union Chapel.