Decline of Magic: human understanding Flashcards
what approaches did francis bacon introduce
empiricism and inductive reasoning
outline empriricism
the belief that we may have knowledge of the world, but only through sensory observation
what is Inductive Thought:
Observing something and forming a conclusion based on what is observed
what work did francis bacon publish in 1605
Proficience and Advancement of Learning
to what extent did Bacon push forward science and reason…
His ideas and methods began being implemented mainly after 1640, and he influenced members of the Royal Society.
what studies were influenced by bacons rational method method
Bacon’s rational method was eventually used in the study of religion (re-examining the bible), society, philosophy and eventually history.
Limits to the empiricist approach in disproving magic…
The empiricist approach itself did not deny the existence of magic. In fact, Some of the early members of the Royal Society actually used Bacon’s methods to try to empirically prove the existence of witchcraft.
The Foundation of Gresham College in 1597 consisted of..
A group of natural philosophers. The members shared an interest in experimental investigation. Many of the group would go on to be founding members of the Royal Society
Gresham’s role in advancing science and understanding of the world in society.
1)
Gresham impacted on Universities, and therefore wider education. astronomy and geometry were essential for understanding the workings of the earth and the universe. However These fields were not recognised by Oxbridge until professorships were created by Gresham.
Gresham’s role in advancing science and understanding of the world in society.
2)
Therefore, Gresham, led the way in promoting the academic importance of mathematics and, advancement in science and reason.
The Royal Society’s role in advancing science and understanding of the world in society.
The Royal Society wholeheartedly adopted Bacon’s methods of empirical science thus, the RS undermined belief in witchcraft and magic
how was the royal society helpful in promoting members work thereby advancing science and understanding of the world in society.
4.The Society helped publish the work of Isaac Newton and John Locke.
in turn, The Society established a reputation for genuinely pushing the boundaries of science.
Limits to The Royal Society’s role.
The Society’s commitment to inductive reasoning seemed to highlight some of its flaws:
i. It is too experimental.
ii. It never provides secure knowledge that is unchallengeable.
iii. Whenever the inductive method is used, an element of doubt can always exist when some observed facts cannot be explained.
thomas hobbes introduced
materialism
deductive reasoning
impact of materialism on the declining belief of witchcraft
→ goes a long way to explaining why belief in witchcraft and magic went into decline after 1660.
→ A crucial argument of Hobbes’ was that unusual phenomena, such as cases of possession, were actually the result of madness, poisoning or epilepsy.
Explain the link between Thomas Hobbes, John Webster, Balthasar Bekker and John Holt.
His ideas became very fashionable in the early 18th century, when the final cases of witchcraft were being investigated and sceptical opinion was at its peak.
therefore, All approached cases of witchcraft with a rational mindset were influenced by the work of Hobbes.
summarise lockes essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690)
In this particular essay, Locke presents a detailed interpretation of the workings of the mind. He ultimately concludes that experience is the most important source of human knowledge.
1.Although John Locke also supported materialism, how did he sort of go “one step further” than Hobbes?
He supported materialism and asserted that the “primary” qualities of an object (size, shape etc.) are the same, regardless of how someone perceives them. Secondary qualities such as colour, smell and taste are perceived depending on conditions.
primary qualities
independent of an observer. they resemble the qualities of an object such as shape, size, motion
secondary qualities
are dependent upon an observer. they dont resemble the qualities of an object
how can lockes argument of primary qualities be used to question the exixtence of spirit’s
As spirits do not have primary qualities, their nature and their existence is based on personal perceptions, and thus can never be proved.
what was the significance of the essay of human understanding
This essay had great significance for witchcraft and magic and was essentially a publication that got right to the heart of the matter.
what year was the publication of Francis Bacon’s “Of the Proficience and Advancement of Learning Divine and Human”
1605
what yeear was the publication of Thomas Hobbes’s “De Corpore”
1655
