Even a snark such as myself reaches a point where a change of pace is needed. Herein lies a mind shift for today: a book review! This is a review of a translation of a response written by little know German Philosopher and fist lieutenant of the Bavarian Illuminati organization, Adolph von Knigge.
As a person who is bilingual I cannot help but be amazed at the task
writer and translator Jeva Singh-Amand undertook in his translation of
PHILO'S REPLY QUESTIONS CONCERNING HIS ASSOCIATION WITH THE
ILLUMINATI.
The Illuminati has been presumed to exist for a very long time and has been subjected
to mystery by many and presumed occult in nature as well. Mr. Singh-Anand brings to
light the history of the Illuminati and the lesser baron that would become it's architect,
and an even lesser known philosopher and administrator of what was a fledgling attempt to
organize enlightenment and bring it to Germanic states. "Philo" was a secret name.
It was customary for all those affiliated with the Bavarian Illuminati to take on
pseudonyms to work unhindered.
Philo was really Baron Adolph von Knigge, raised in a family that
nurtured curiosity in all things, including the occult. His father, interested in alchemy
was never able to covert anything into gold but that did not dissuade the young baron
from pursing his own interest in things mysterious.
A little known fact is that Baron von Knegge became most
prominent in the area of etiquette upon which he wrote extensively.
Yet his own curious and determined nature sought something that could
encapsulate the best of mankind for the betterment of mankind. As a
result he became introduced to and worked with founder Adam Weishaupt.
As he discussed his objective of finding a way to promote enlightenment
Weishaupt informed him that such an organization already
existed. He was quickly asked to perform the gargantuan task of
fostering the development of the Illuminati in five areas.
Beginning second in command to none von Knigge took on this
responsibility willingly and enthusiastically.
What becomes clear in this wonderful translation that read as if
written in English is von Knigge's labors, efforts and ultimate
disagreement with Weishaupt which led to his leaving the movement. but
what truly shines through is the brilliance of the mind that was von
Krigge. What is truly applicable to today's times is the wisdom he
exhibited in the face of criticism and misrepresentation of the
Bavarian Illuminati.
Reading this learned philosopher's point of view which reflects the
optimism that truth and it's light will always show itself regardless
of slander and ignorance lends a truly new awareness to the childhood
adages such as "sticks and stones" and "water off a duck's back". Von
Knigge was a man who knew when silence was the strongest tool and only
provided this treatise when his anonymity was revealed by another
within the Illuminati.
Mr. Singh-Anand's translation brings forward a little known
philosopher's wisdom in a manner that is both engaging while still
capturing the history of this organization. As a result he
accomplishes removing the veil of mystique surrounding the Illuminati,
revealing what it truly was which was an organization that originally
was similar to the philosophy of what we Americans call Libertarianism
although one can also see how its tenets were threatening and in its
time seemed to promote anarchy.
Established for the betterment of mankind and for it's membership,
Weishaupt promised "Heaven on earth" for the brotherhood but it was
really von Knigge that laid down the foundation and degrees of what
would constitute Freemasonry. In comprehending the principles of this
organization one can easily see how "brotherhoods" of the wealthiest
in modern times are also targets of curiosity, criticism and mystery.
The most interesting facet of von Knigge's personality, to me, lies in
his recounting Westhaupt admission early on in von Knigge's administration
and development of the "order" in which he admitted that the Illuminati
as von Knegge described it did not exist as was expressed. All it has been
was a young, was a loosely connected movement of scattered intelligentsia
not yet organized to have any impact on the promises of Westhaupt at least
not until von Knigge entered the picture. Already having established in his
own mind what an ideal society could be like and the worthiness of working
toward that goal von Knigge chose to continue working diligently to create
what he believed in which was a living, breathing viable
network of capable people who were willing to be entrusted with the
common good of mankind and of course, as security, themselves.
I wish to thank Mr. Singh-Anand for this work and his labors in
bringing to the foreground this little known philosopher who, in his
own way, offers much in the way of basic standards for conducting
oneself under pressure by refusing to accept the pressure and by truly
reaching that point in which explanations are owed to no one but the
self.
I highly recommend this book for its merit, it's offering of little
known history and its clarification of what to many is a mystery. Mr.
Singh-Anand has dutifully presented von Knigee as a philosopher for
not just his time but ours as well in a translation that flows in
English allowing one to simply forget it was originally written in
German.
I look forward to more of Mr. Singh-Anand's scholarly translations of
other authors known perhaps only to German academia.
This book is available through lulu.com and amazon.com
