Philosophy Jack_Parsons_(rocket_engineer)

george pendle

parsons adhered occult philosophy of thelema, had been founded in 1904 english occultist aleister crowley following spiritual revelation had in cairo, egypt, when—according crowley s accounts—a spirit being known aiwass dictated him prophetic text known book of law. prior becoming aware of thelema , crowley, parsons interest in esotericism developed through reading of golden bough (1890), work in comparative mythology scottish social anthropologist james george frazer. parsons had attended lectures on theosophy philosopher jiddu krishnamurti first wife helen, disliked belief system s sentiment of , true . during rocket tests, parsons recited crowley s poem hymn pan luck charm. took addressing crowley beloved father , signed off him thy son, john .

in july 1945, parsons gave speech agape lodge, in attempted explain how felt book of law made relevant modern life . in speech, subsequently published under title of doing , examined thelemite concept of true will, writing that:

the mainspring of individual creative will. sum of tendencies, destiny, inner truth. 1 force makes birds sing , flowers bloom; inevitable gravity, implicit bowel movement, informs alike atoms , men , suns.

to man knows will, there no why or why not, no can or cannot; is!

there no known force can turn apple alley cat; there no known force can turn man will. triumph of genius; that, surviving centuries, enlightens world.

this force burns in every man.

parsons identified 4 obstacles prevented humans achieving , performing true will, of connected fear: fear of incompetence, fear of opinion of others, fear of hurting others, , fear of insecurity. insisted these must overcome, writing must freed of fetters. ruthless examination , destruction of taboos, complexes, frustrations, dislikes, fears , disgusts hostile essential progress.

though parsons lifelong devotee thelema, grew weary of , left ordo templi orientis—the religious organization began propagating thelema under crowley s leadership 1910s—which parsons viewed, despite disagreement of crowley himself, excessively hierarchical , impeding upon rigorous spiritual , philosophical practice of true will, describing o.t.o. excellent training school adepts, hardly appropriate order manifestation of thelema . in sense parsons described carter fundamentalist thelemite placed book of law s dogma above other doctrine.

politics


william breeze (hymenaeus beta), current frater superior of ordo templi orientis

from on in career, parsons took interest in socialism , communism, views shared friend malina. under influence of friend, sidney weinbaum, 2 joined communist group in late 1930s, parsons reading marxist literature, remained unconvinced , refused join american communist party. malina asserted because parsons political romantic , attitude more anti-authoritarian anti-capitalist. parsons later became critical of marxist–leninist government of soviet union led joseph stalin, sarcastically commenting that

during era of mccarthyism , second red scare in 1950s, parsons questioned regarding former links communist movement, time denied connection it, instead describing himself individualist both anti-communist , anti-fascist. in reaction mccarthyite red-baiting of scientists, expressed disdain that

parsons politically influenced thelema—which holds ethical code of thou wilt —equating principle libertarian views of of founding fathers of united states in article freedom lonely star , writing own time these values had been sold out america, , reason heart of america sick , soul of america dead. proceeded criticize many aspects of contemporary u.s. society, particularly police force, remarking police mind of sadistic , homicidal trend , noting carried out ruthless punishment of symbolic scapegoats such african-americans, prostitutes, alcoholics, homeless people , sociopolitical radicals, under pretense of country upheld liberty , justice all.

to bring freer future parsons believed in liberalizing attitudes sexual morality stating that, in belief, publication of kinsey report , development of psychonautical sciences had significant influence on western society creation of atomic bomb , development of nuclear physics. believed in future restrictions on sexual morality within society should abolished in order bring greater freedom , individuality. parsons concluded that

jack cashill, american studies professor @ purdue university, argues although literary career never got beyond pamphleteering , untitled anti-war, anti-capitalist manuscript , parsons played significant role—greater of church of satan founder anton lavey—in shaping californian counterculture of 1960s , beyond through influence on contemporaries such hubbard , heinlein. hugh urban, religious studies professor @ ohio state university, cites parsons witchcraft group precipitating neopagan revival of 1950s.

science fiction writer , occultist robert anton wilson described parsons political writings exemplifying ultra-individualist exhibited genuine sympathy working people , empathized feminism , held antipathy toward patriarchy comparable of john stuart mill, arguing in context parsons influence on american libertarian , anarchist movements of 20th century. parsons supportive of creation of state of israel, making plans emigrate there when military security clearance revoked.