Occult Bodies: The Corporal Construction of the Theosophical Society, 1875-1935

• Other Authors: Crow, John L. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Sociology; History
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_2017SP_Crow_fsu_0071E_13796

Focusing on the Theosophical Society, founded in 1875 and headquartered in Adyar, India, this dissertation traces how the emplaced body, variously understood and experienced, and discourses of science, as appropriated and applied to Theosophical doctrine derived from both modern and ancient wisdom texts, were mutually constitutive for members of the Society. That is, Theosophists came to understand their body's makeup and constitution, how it should be cared for, nourished, and disciplined, as well as its place within the cosmos, and the reason for its existence, through the ideas, discourses, and doctrines of the Society. These ideas, texts, and discourses were presented using the rhetoric of science, and in doing so, were made authoritative. The result was a Theosophical understanding of the body based on the teachings of Ancient Wisdom as combined with, and legitimized by, scientific discourses. Yet, much like the scientific discourses Theosophy engaged and adopted, the doctrine, texts, and ideas of the Society were not static, at least not completely. They had to respond to the needs and practices of the members, as well as to changes and development on the world stage. Thus, the texts, doctrines, and discourses were created, modified, and ignored based on the unfolding practice of Theosophy by the members. The end result was a dialectic process in which both body and discourse were mutually constituting. Moreover, the intersection of the body and scientific discourses within Theosophical teachings facilitated the mediation of larger sociocultural changes, including secularization and the crisis of faith, ascendency of scientific materialism, and shifting international political structures due to nationalism and colonialism at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. Not only were body and discourse mutually constituting, the dialectic process was how Theosophy was able to respond to change, both within the tradition, and to larger sociocultural forces outside it. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Religion in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester 2017. === March 6, 2017. === Body and Embodiment, Occultism, Religion and Science, Sex and Gender, Theosophical Society, Theosophy === Includes bibliographical references. === Amanda Porterfield, Professor Directing Dissertation; Michael Ruse, University Representative; John Corrigan, Committee Member; Michael McVicar, Committee Member; Kathleen Erndl, Committee Member.