LGnosis is one of the most fascinating phenomena in the history of ideas. It appeared under the High Roman Empire (XNUMXst-XNUMXnd century), a brilliant and restless period, which also saw the rise of Christianity. The Gnostics, Basilides, Valentin, Marcion, preach strange doctrines presenting themselves as a secret knowledge (gnosis) that Jesus Christ would have transmitted to those close to him. Philosophical Christianity or sulphurous counterfeit? High wisdom or charlatanism? Religion sui generis or infantile disease of Christianity? Ultimate expression of Greek philosophy or anticipation of existentialism? Vector of Jewish influences or on the contrary rejection of Judaism? Gnosis retains part of its mystery. Born in the East (Syria, Egypt), widespread in Rome, denounced by the Fathers of the Church (Saint Irenaeus, Tertullian), it perhaps had its peak on the borders of the Persian Empire with Mani (XNUMXrd century) whose doctrine, Manichaeism, spread as far as China and could have inspired Buddhism.
Since the end of the Cathars (14th century), the last avatar of European gnosis, it has survived through initiation traditions (Freemasonry, Theosophy), lines of spiritual masters who claim to be there and diffuse influences on literature, especially romantic, music, philosophy. Through its radical rejection of the real world or its desire to emancipate the mind from the constraints of the carnal condition, the Gnostic mode of thought permeates contemporary culture in many ways. On a complex and controversial subject, the author presents, from a historical perspective, a clear, lively and balanced synthesis.