Abstract

This work aims "to analyze and relate the many discussions of mystery" in the writings of Eric Voegelin. Glenn Hughes succeeds in stating Voegelin's case so clearly that even those unfamiliar with Voegelin can follow the argument. Voegelin argues that "mysteries are depths of meaning whose hiddenness is apparent". We participate in mysteries but are unable to penetrate them because of our finitude. While the appreciation of myth is a prerequisite for the philosopher, the West has seen a "peculiar and growing eclipse of the awareness of mystery". The loss of the sense of mystery is a tragedy, and Voegelin's philosophy aims at rediscovering the mysterious. But how do we know the mysterious and, at the same time, not know it? To answer this question, Voegelin needs a theory of consciousness.