RELIG274 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Early Modern Europe, Mageia, Classical Liberalism
24 Jul 2016
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Simple sorcery: high magic resembles natural science, simple sorcery resembles technology, 3 types: Harming those whom one hated (not necessarily with just cause). Possession of mangu (internal spiritual power, inheritable). Scapegoats: public sorcery = religion, private sorcery = magic, witches may be scapegoats if magic has failed, witch doctors/medicine men/curanderos have positive function in society (cure from effects of malevolent magic, 3 types of greek magic: Crude, ignorant, feared: usually incantations, summon spirits, in greco-roman and hebrew thought, sorcery and spirits were directly related. Could be almost a god or a petty spirit (demons were between humanity and gods): without this element wouldn"t have existed. Witchcraft of late medieval and early modern europe (1880: spirits were either angels or angels turned against god and those practicing witchcraft were drawing on these evil spirits, christian concept of devil, four major schools of interpretation: Classical liberalism: witchcraft is an invention of superstitious and greedy ecclesiastics looking for power/wealth.
