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An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions / Also, an Account of the Witchcraft Delusion at Salem, in 1692 cover

An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions / Also, an Account of the Witchcraft Delusion at Salem, in 1692

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About This Book

The author examines popular superstitions, alleged apparitions, and demonological beliefs, arguing that most supernatural reports can be explained by natural causes such as nervous disturbances and imagination. He outlines the nervous system and sensory misperception to show how visions, voices, and delirium arise, and connects fear and credulity to social harms including persecution and witch hysteria. One extended section recounts the Salem witchcraft delusion and analyzes its moral and evidentiary failures. Additional essays discuss omens, auguries, and medical quackery, and advocate skepticism, improved medical understanding, and moral education as remedies for popular superstition.

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The following pages were in substance composed to be read before the Plymouth Lyceum, in 1829. When it was understood that Rev. Charles W. Upham was about to favor the public with a work on the same subject, it was determined that this little performance should be suppressed. The Rev. Author observed in a letter, ‘that although we may traverse the same field, it is highly probable that we pursue different tracks. The subject is so various, ample and abundant in instruction, that good rather than evil would result from the application of more than one mind to its discussion.’ Since therefore, in the deeply interesting work referred to, the learned author has not particularly discussed the subjects of Ghosts, Apparitions, Mental Illusions, &c., there may be no impropriety in submitting the following imperfect production to the public, with the hope that it will not be considered as altogether superfluous.

J. T.

Plymouth, Nov. 1831.