The Theoretical Brothers, or the Second Grade of the Rosicrucians

Danischmende. Not I — and that is how, Sire, Theosophists In the 18th-century context, these were mystical thinkers who claimed direct divine illumination or "god-wisdom," often through intuition or secret traditions., Alchemists, and Rosicrucians A legendary secret society claiming esoteric knowledge of nature and the spiritual world, often blending science, religion, and mysticism. arose —

Nurmahal. Are Theosophists and Rosicrucians one and the same? —

Danischmende. One and the same, and nearly a single doctrine. There are various sects among them, but they agree on the main point — namely, the exploration of secret sciences: Of course, no longer with that skeptical doubt that alone befits us mortals; instead, they cling with the most inflexible, blindest faith to miraculous fanaticisms original: "Schwärmereyen." This was a sharp term of critique during the Enlightenment, used to describe irrational, delusional, or ecstatic religious enthusiasm that bypasses logical reasoning. which are either elevated far above the sphere of human understanding or are simply impossible. Among all sectarians, Sire, the Theosophist is the most difficult to turn back from his opinions, and truly! With what weapons shall a philosopher do battle against these people, who refuse to duel with those natural weapons — those of reason? —

A Theosophist (here Danischmende turned toward the beautiful Nurmahal, who