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The place of magic in the intellectual history of Europe cover

The place of magic in the intellectual history of Europe

By Lynn Thorndike
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History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)History - EuropeanHistory - Medieval/Middle Ages

About This Book

The study traces belief in magic from antiquity through the early modern period, surveying popular and learned acceptance of witchcraft, astrology, and ceremonial arts. It analyzes classical and medieval sources to illustrate how scholars and practitioners attributed occult virtues to animals, plants, minerals, and stars, and how astrological doctrine informed medicine and policy. Chapters treat origins and defining features of magic, its praeternatural character, major historical exemplars, and the gradual interaction and partial fusion between magical thought and emerging scientific inquiry, concluding with reflections on the persistence and transformation of occult ideas in European intellectual life.

About the Author

Thorndike, Lynn portrait

Lynn Thorndike

Lynn Thorndike was an American historian and scholar, best known for his extensive work on the history of magic and science. His notable contributions include the two-volume series "A History of Magic and Experimental Science," which explores the development of magical practices and scientific thought during the first thirteen centuries of the Common Era. Thorndike's research delves into the interplay between magic and intellectual history in Europe, providing valuable insights into how these fields influenced one another. His scholarship remains significant for those interested in the historical context of science and the cultural perceptions of magic.

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