The practice of keeping knowledge secret or hidden from the general public; the belief that certain truths should only be shared with initiated members.
From 'esoteric' + '-ism' (system or belief). The suffix '-ism' indicates both a practice and a philosophical approach to how knowledge is organized and distributed.
Every culture has had esotericism—from Masonic lodges to university graduate programs, humans have always created insider groups with special knowledge, which fulfills deep psychological needs for belonging and mystery.
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