This book articulates a new research program, called “Ur-Illuminism,” which consists in an integrated and systematic study of humanity’s quest for “illumination,” namely, for the highest and noblest possible mode of being. Thus, it takes on the challenge of revising widely accepted ways of understanding and interpreting the ontological underpinnings of civilization and the ontological potential of humanity. It allows the reader to delve into a creative “rediscovery” of Platonism, medieval Christian mystics’ and scholars’ writings, and various “illuminist” systems, from the Orphic mystical cult to the European Enlightenment and thence to the eighteenth-century Illuminati fraternities and beyond. Moreover, the book studies major issues in the history of philosophy, politology, and esoteric systems (such as Hermeticism, the Kabbalah, alchemy, the Rosicrucian movement, Freemasonry, and the Bavarian Illuminati). It maintains that a postmodern “rediscovery” of premodern metaphysics, specifically, a postmodern esoteric theocracy (as distinct from old sacerdotalism and religious formalism), is the best bulwark against oppression and the ontological degradation of humanity, as well as the best path to the attainment of that wisdom and spiritual self-knowledge which constitute the existential integration and completion of the human being. In this context, it proposes a peculiar and intellectually fecund synthesis between Tory Anarchism, Libertarianism, Platonism, and Byzantine Hesychasm, as they are elucidated here.

Sketch of a New Esthetic of Music by Theodore Baker Ferruccio Busoni, first published in 1911, is a rare manuscript, the original residing in one of the great libraries of the world. This book is a reproduction of that original, which has been scanned and cleaned by state-of-the-art publishing tools for better readability and enhanced appreciation. Restoration Editors' mission is to bring long out of print manuscripts back to life. Some smudges, annotations or unclear text may still exist, due to permanent damage to the original work. We believe the literary significance of the text justifies offering this reproduction, allowing a new generation to appreciate it.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1842.

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