Exotericism

Exoterik (of ἐξωτερικός " externally ", " foreign" ) refers to the outward-facing or accessible externally accessible aspects of a philosophy or religion, as opposed to just an inner circle esoteric aspects.

Originally, the term denoted popular, is directing to the general philosophical writings, especially written in dialogue form writings of Aristotle ( ἐξωτερικά ). The distinction first appears in The auctioning of the philosophical Order, a satire of Lucian of Samosata. As a Peripatetic comes up for auction, it says:

This classification was then taken over by Cicero. Aristotle himself uses the term to refer to the superficial forms of discourse, where the contrast is not esoteric, but the philosophical, accurate and in-depth treatment of a topic.

In religion and theology Exoterik refers to the aspects of religion that are openly accessible, and are therefore to be read in public books. This contrasts with the esoteric religious teachings and practices - are known only to a limited group of participants - mostly about secret initiations and oral traditions. In almost every religion or religious flow, there is not only an exoteric, but also an esoteric part as in Judaism, Kabbalah and Sufism in Islam.

The term can also be used pejoratively, with exoteric means the public image of a really pure esoteric doctrine. This image does not have to be necessarily false, but it is at least incomplete and fragmented in terms of the knowledge of the initiated.

According to this range of meanings, a exotericists

• Be or " ignorant " or " uninitiated "
• Someone who insists on transparency and traceability of processes or content, as opposed to occultists, or
• Someone who makes complex content transparent and understandable, that is about a scientist who strives to popular, commonly understood expression.