Afterword – Global Esotericism

Abstract In this afterword, the directors of the Center for Advanced Studies ‘Alternative Rationalities and Esoteric Practices from a Global Perspective’ ( CAS-E ) at Friedrich- Alexander-Universität offer a brief response to the comments by Carole Cusack, Mark Q. Gardiner, Steven Engler, Wouter Hanegraaff, Elizabeth McAlister, Jason Josephson Storm, and Hugh Urban. Reflecting on various theoretical and methodological discussions within CAS-E , particularly in light of the center’s fellows’ highly heterogeneous materials, conceptual challenges, and disciplinary frameworks, the afterword also sketches promising avenues for future research at CAS-E . These avenues focus on themes and debates, such as global religious history, family resemblances and the researcher’s situatedness, and alternative rationalities.