Can you elaborate on the importance of esoterism in Freemasonry, in order to really understand the moral behind every degree?

Writers differ on whether Freemasonry possesses a secret, hidden doctrine behind its moral lessons. Mackey maintains that Craft Masonry has no secret doctrine at all, holding that its philosophical tenets are open to the world and that secrecy is confined strictly to its modes of recognition and symbolic instructional ceremonies 2. Older Masonic addresses similarly treated the degrees as conventional homilies on moral virtues, passing over occult philosophy or deeper symbolism entirely 2.

In contrast, Wilmshurst argues that the true essence of Craft Masonry lies in an ancient spiritual doctrine hidden beneath architectural language, without which the degrees risk degenerating into perfunctory rites or mere social gatherings 1. Under this esoteric reading, the three degrees of the Craft allegorize progressive stages of individual spiritual evolution: the first degree cleanses and purifies the candidate, the Fellow Craft degree illuminates the intelligence while framing worldly adversity as a means of polishing the rough ashlar 1, and the Master Mason degree uses symbolic death to represent elevation into a higher order of spiritual life 1.

In the Scottish Rite, higher grades explicitly incorporate esoteric philosophy; degrees above the Eighteenth abandon traditional Temple symbolism altogether to cultivate systems of pure theosophy 2. Later commentators emphasized that proper instruction in any degree must go beyond platitudes, using esoteric symbolism and allegory to refine both the moral character and the understanding of the candidate 2.