Magic, Science, and Religion in Early Modern Europe

MAGIC, SCIENCE, AND RELIGION IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE by Mark A. Waddell. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2021. x + 220 pages, including an annotated bibliography and index. Paperback; $25.99. ISBN: 9781108441650. *For decades, it has been commonplace among historians of science to recognize the essential interconnections between Christianity early origins natural sciences, even if some non-historians continue struggle relinquish more titillating revival a conflict them. The reality is that social intellectual history theology philosophy have vast overlapping boundaries. modern sciences no less continuous with ideas practices magic, alchemy, astrology. While Enlightenment sensibilities chafe at notion, historical research, much in same vein as studies "Science Religion," incontestable. Waddell's brief introduction subject quickly brings reader into this consensus without sacrificing nuance needed avoid oversimplification. *The strongest chapters are first half book, where Waddell introduces Renaissance interest Hermetic (chap. 1), then newly discovered ancient texts (though not so they were thought be). author proves be practiced communicator, able simplify condense range philosophical principles. He also succeeds connecting philosophies perennial problems questions ordinary human experience. In way, he consistent long line scholars writing on subject, from Keith Thomas's, Religion Decline Magic (1971) forward. witchcraft demonology 2) treated manifestation anxieties within European culture generally. broadest principle magic covered chapter 3, "Magic, Medicine, Microcosm," which explains overarching analogy greater universe out there our mundane existence down here. This forms basis for both astrology-based medicine (noting concordances either herbs or organs their astrological counterparts using them heal) judicial astrology, sought understand past map future virtue motions. And presents normal part early-modern thinking churchmen commoners alike. second book covers topics may easily recognized parts science: Galileo, Copernicus, Boyle, Newton. Chapter 4, "A New Cosmos," uses most creative pedagogically sensitive radical proposal world system earth motionless center universe. demotion Pluto planetary status 2006 subsequent public backlash, asks imagine, fortiori, how might react disruption received astronomical dogma, however empirically informed. returns again 5, "Looking God Cosmic Machine," philosophy, showing Epicurean atomism presented old problem anew René Descartes Pierre Gassendi, focusing question nature soul. Here continuity new maintained, illustrating ongoing development connected science, religion. *That better represented emphasis Aristotle scholasticism. Aristotle's discussed several places throughout such discussion above soul, dedicated would appropriate given dominance Western end thirteenth century through seventeenth. weakness was evident 6 section Francis Bacon inductive method. says, "Bacon founded his about experience experiment what known reasoning, induction … choosing focus singular observations, course doing exactly taught students do" (p. 166). *Aristotle never gave instruction. fact, describes Posterior Analytics, Book I, sentence: "All teaching learning kind proceed pre-existent knowledge Similarly arguments, deductive inductive: effect we already know, former assuming items presumed grasp, latter proving something universal way fact particular cases plain" (Barnes translation, 1975). *Waddell misses Bacon's novel except emphasis. extension principles revived. *This closes coda, extending briefly Enlightenment. handled little too quickly, but well enough present subtleties necessary link its past. Not only does intellectuals embarrassed Newton's alchemical adventures, mechanical forces themselves still betray underlying occult qualities formerly traveled under other names. often used word "problematic" (over twenty times) book: example, sentence, "It important note that, problematic idea been, did disappear." often, unclear merely means specific, like "challenging," "difficult absorb" one's concepts world, narrowly violates political norms. Since seeks contextualize these events four hundred years ago idiom, least plausible wishes us connect intensity dramas today those events. If so, explicit recognition helpful reader. suitable undergraduate especially flanked primary source readings guidance instructor. A person background find accessible entry point could move detailed studies, noted bibliography. *Reviewed Jason M. Rampelt, History Science Medicine Archivist, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.