Thomas Daffern
International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy
Comparative Diabology, Western Esotericism, and Conscious Illicitude
The author will explore Comparative Diabology within Western esotericism. The image of the Devil
has long been a part of Western thought, and this paper will sketch out something of the terrain
involved in mapping the history of the Devil in Paganism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
Manicheanism, and Gnosticism, and then ask: who is being consciously illicit here?
Comparative Diabology, Western Esotericism, and Conscious Illicitude
The author will explore Comparative Diabology within Western esotericism. The image of the Devil has long been a part of Western thought, and this paper will sketch out something of the terrain involved in mapping the history of the Devil in Paganism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Manicheanism, and Gnosticism, and then ask: who is being consciously illicit here?