Prospects for practicing the sociology of esotericism in studies on the New Age : characterisation of selected standpoints

Abstract

The article consists of two parts. In the first, the perspective of practicing the sociology of esotericism is outlined and its major research issues are indicated, with particular focus on studies on the New Age. The second part comprises a brief presentation of selected stand-points of Polish researchers exploring the New Age and some of their sociological threads are highlighted. The aim is not so much to recapture the state of the research into the New Age in Poland but rather to highlight the motifs which are comprised within the prospec-tive practicing sociology of esotericism in studies on the New Age.