Sceptic Publications Flashcards
1
Q
1584
Reginald Scot: The Discoverie of Witchcraft
A
Questioned whether there was any biblical basis or foundation for witch hunting
2
Q
Impact of ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’
A
- Questions around proof and evidence begin in late 16thC
- Suggests a few people present in juries were starting to look for evidence outside the Bible for existence of WC
- Reveals strenght of religion in public consciousness was unchallenged
3
Q
1599
Samuel Harsnett: The Fraudulent Practices of John Darrel
A
- Rejected all WC
- Harsnett was deeply suspicious about the Boy of Burton case, claimed Darrel was a fraud
4
Q
Impact of ‘The Fraudulent Practices of John Darrel’
A
- Led to discussion and debate via the pamphlet war
- Put forward the idea that possessions can be faked - undermined accusations of bewitchment
- Despite accusations of fraudulence many still supported Darrel
- It was a case of factional fighting within Christianity (Harsnett - CofE conformist, Darrel - Puritan)
5
Q
1656
Thomas Ady: A Candle in the Dark
A
- Witches do exist but they don’t have a pact with the Devil
- Used the Bible to support his argument, saying there was no reference to witches and hunts
- Critical of James I’s book ‘Daemonologie’
6
Q
Impact of ‘A Candle in the Dark’
A
- Challenged biblical foundation of witch hunting, suggested women accused of maleficium are innocent
- People began to understand that sometimes phenomenons can be explained using rational explanation - explained magic tricks
- Book came after most intense hunting had already happened - should be seen as part of a far wider intellectual change that was taking place
7
Q
1677
John Webster: The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft
A
- Reinforced Ady’s suggestion that the Bible failed to mention witchcraft
- Argued that witches existed but are not in control of the supernatural - promoted rational/ materialistic thinking
8
Q
Impact of ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’
A
- He influenced scepticism amongst elite intelligentsia - thorough use of evidence lends credibility
- Wasn’t particularly radical - did not fundamentally challenge belief in witches
9
Q
1691
Balthasar Bekker: The Enchanted World
A
- Most influential publisher
- Continued to build on Ady’s arhuments using the Bible to undermine argument for WC
- Believed WC was deception
- Published at a time when intellectual thinking was changing
10
Q
Impact of ‘The Enchanted World’
A
- Cut through society’s attitude to WC - was put on trial for blasphemy
- Explained how Hobbes’ idea of materialism connected to WC
- Influenced people’s attitudes
- Witch trials already on the decline in England
