In this episode I am joined by Dr James Justin Sledge, a professor of philosophy and religion specialising in the Western Esoteric tradition and founder of the popular Esoterica Youtube channel.

Dr Sledge recounts how his working class upbringing profoundly influenced both his view of academia and his work ethic within it. He recounts his early fascination with philosophers and mystics, and recalls his studies in religion, philosophy, and the occult.

Dr Sledge discusses the importance of language learning in academic study of religion and shares his own practical strategies for achieving competency in several ancient and modern languages including Latin, Hebrew, German, French, Akkadian, and more.

Dr Sledge also shares his views on education, diagnoses its problems and offers solutions, gives advice to the self-learner, and reveals his surprising view on whether attaining enlightenment is worth the effort.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep248-esoterica-academia-dr-justin-sledge

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Working class upbringing in Misissipi

03:03 - Limited access to education

04:13 - Exploitation in academia

05:20 - Fascination with Aristotle

08:55 - Accidentally entering college

11:28 - Dr Sledge’s experience in college

12:58 - Double majoring in religious studies and philosophy while working full time

1408 - Studying Western Esotericism in Amsterdam, Holland

15:44 - Bad reputation of Western Esotericism in academia

18:07 - Lessons learned studying in Amsterdam

20:37 - Distaste of punching down

21:44 - Surprising difference between USA and European education

24:47 - Toxicity in American academia

25:57 - How should we educate ourselves?

28:42 - Intellectual aristocracy or a cartel?

29:50 - Educating through Youtube

31:47 - How would Dr Sledge fix the American education system?

34:42 - The importance for scholars to read French and German

37:28 - Learning Latin and Hebrew, reading the Bible in the original language

39:50 - How to learn ancient languages

41:56 - Philology and the dirty secret of The Key of Solomon

43:56 - Copying out texts and scrolls

46:46 - Dr Sledge shows scrolls he has copied by hand

49:59 - Dr Sledge’s highly structured work and study life

58:24 - Common mistakes when learning Latin and other languages

01:01:21 - Pedagogical data and living Latin

01:05:48 - Dr Sledge’s advice for young students who wish to go to University

01:06:56 - Advice for the autodidacts

01:09:54 - The importance of education

01:13:30 - Why Dr Sledge doesn’t want to become enlightened

01:15:10 - The horror of heaven

01:16:15 - How Dr Sledge wants to die

01:16:47 - Enlightenment isn’t worth it

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To find out more about Dr Justin Sledge, visit:

- https://www.justinsledge.com/

- https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James