The Doctor of Arts thesis titled L'Idée d'ésotérisme, submitted to the Paris 1 Sorbonne University in 1987, serves as a cornerstone for the academic study of occult traditions by French philosopher Pierre A. Riffard. Born in Toulouse in 1946, his research has bridged the gap between esoteric theory and established philosophical discourse, defining the field through structured invariants.
Academic Foundation
Riffard earned his Doctor of Philosophy credentials by investigating the Greek formula hen kai pan, meaning the One and the All. His later scholarly trajectory focused on a formal analysis of occultism, culminating in the 1987 thesis on the concept of esotericism. Throughout his career, he has held the position of professor of pedagogy and philosophy at the University of the French West Indies and Guiana. His teaching experience is notably diverse, encompassing assignments across Asia, Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Guiana.
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In his authoritative 1983 Dictionnaire de l'ésotérisme, Riffard categorizes various traditions including alchemy, druidism, and the French craft-training system known as compagnonnage. He established nine specific invariants to define esoteric systems, ranging from the discipline of the arcane and the use of symbolic numbers to the existence of higher planes of reality such as the human aura. His works, including the 1990 volume L'ésotérisme and the 1997 study Ésotérisms d'ailleurs, maintain that esotericism functions as a universal anthropological structure that transcends cultural mediation.
Sociology of the Philosopher
In the early 2000s, Riffard expanded his research to examine the biographical patterns of major philosophers. His books, such as the 2004 Les philosophes: vie intime and 2006 Philosophie matin, midi et soir, utilize psychological and sociological data to categorize the common traits of thinkers from Thales to Sartre. He observed statistical trends among the elite, noting that many philosophers share characteristics like being expatriates, experiencing early loss as orphans, or struggling with physical and mental health challenges throughout their careers.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Toulouse, France
- Primary Field: Philosophy
- Key Publication: Dictionnaire de l'ésotérisme (1983)
- University Role: Professor, University of the French West Indies and Guiana
- Thesis Focus: The Greek formula hen kai pan
- Doctoral Institution: Paris 1 Sorbonne University
- Field of Study: Esotericism
- Language of Work: French
Questions readers ask
How does Riffard define the esoteric?
He identifies it as an occult teaching or initiatory process characterized by symbolic expression, a metaphysical nature, and the intentional use of arcane secrets.
What characterizes a major philosopher according to Riffard?
His research suggests they frequently share traits such as having been orphans early in life, spending time as expatriates, and overcoming significant health issues.
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