View Single Post
Old 03-29-2008, 06:48 AM   #241 (permalink)
glyn
Military Professional
 
glyn's Avatar
 
Join Date: 09-15-06
Location: Penzance, Cornwall UK
Posts: 6,886
Interesting Greek word occurs first in the works of Lucien who ascribes to Aristotle a classification of his own works as esoteric and exoteric. The OED gives us esoteric Of philosophical doctrines, treatises, modes of speech etc: Designed for, or appropriate to, an inner circle of advanced or privileged disciples; Communicated to, or intelligible by, the initiated exclusively. Hence of disciples: Belonging to the inner circle, admitted to the esoteric teaching.
__________________
Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.
glyn is offline   Reply With Quote