Inovace kurzů akademické angličtiny pro humanitní obory reg. číslo: CZ.1.07/2.2.00/15.0251 MAGIC IN TRADITION OF EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION Samuel Klein 2012/2013 AEPPH
Oct 24, 2015
Inovace kurzů akademické angličtiny pro humanitní oboryreg. číslo: CZ.1.07/2.2.00/15.0251
MAGIC IN TRADITION OF EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION
Samuel Klein2012/2013AEPPH
CONTENTDefinitions of magicApproaches to magicRelation with religion and scienceDifferentiation of magicSymbolismHistorical perspectiveToday´s intersections with modern
science
DEFINITIONS OF MAGIC Plinius Secundus ( Historia naturae )
Magic contains meta-physical phenomena and is type of
nature philosophy. Plotinos
Magic is based on harmony of universe and acts through
powers joined by sympathy. Paracelsus
Magic is control , overpowering, of nature. Agrippa of Nettensheim
True and hidden philosophy of miracles of nature. Roger Bacon
Magic is practical metaphysics.
DEFINITIONS OF MAGIC Papus
Science about hidden, science that is hidden and
is hidding. G. Maspero
Origin of all religions. J.G. Frazer
Simple act of primitive psyche. Aleister Crowley
Magic is science and art to cause a change in
accordance with will. Witchcraft is not the same as magic, even though they are
often identified as same.
APPROACHES TO MAGIC Psychological
Magic as a ritual way of uncovering unconscious traits
and problems of an individual. Etnological and Cultural anthropology
Magic as a cultural phenomena. Philosophical
Magic as a way of solving philosophical problems in
intellectual history. Scientific Practical Political
RELATION WITH RELIGION F.G. Frazer (1890)
Religion developed from magic. Typical common
religious and magical act is worship In Magic experimenting is possible in contrary to
religion. Eliphas Lévi
Occult sciences originates from hidden theology,
Kabbalah, enlightens rituals that are corresponding
with rituals of Church ......therefore it´s impossible to
teach occult sciences without speaking about religion. Magic and religion comes from preposition of protocause of
causes. 2 different ways to transcendence.
RELATION WITH SCIENCE Mainly from view of psychology and cultural anthropology. B. Malinowski (1983):
Science holds on belief, that experience, effort and ratio have
validity; magic holds on belief, that hope can´t be false and
wish can´t disappoint. Theories of science are determined by
logic, magic by association of ideas, which are influenced by
wishes. C. Lévi-Strauss
Magic and science have same goal and are both valid, they
just use different methodology.
Science concerned with measurable and perceivable world.
Magic concerned also with immeasurable and beyond physics
world.
DIFFERENTIATION OF MAGIC Magic can by differentiated:
By subject Natural Supernatural
By purpose of practicing Black ( Satanism, Witchcraft....) White (Enochian....)
By development of practicing mage Psychurgy Theurgy
By specialization Scouting magic Sexual magic Talismanic magic Necromancy
SYMBOLISM
John Dee pentacle
SYMBOLISM
White magic pentacle
SYMBOLISM
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVELegendary origin Technology of forgotten race Evolutionary Extraterrestrial
Historical origin Babylonia Egypt Persia India Siberia
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVEAncient historyEgypt Highly ritualistic culture, rituals of mummification, Hermetism
Babylonia Daemonology
Persia Cult of Zoroaster ( Zarathrusta)
Hebrew Kabbalah, cultural influence from Babylonia, Egypt
Greeks and Romans Mysteria, Hermes Trigonomestros, Precognition,
Pythagorean mystics, Neo-Platonism
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVEMiddle ageBlack magic Gilles de Rais Witchcraft processes – Malleus malificarium
High magic Clergy, Pope´s grimoires, Mystic tradition, Gnostics
Mass witchcraft Herbalism Folk medicicne
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVERenaissancePhilosophers Ficino, Pico de Mirandolla, Giordano Bruno, Campanella New interest in kabbalah
Scholars Thithemius Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim Theoprastus Paracelsus von Hohenheim John Dee Johanes Faust
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVENew age With colonisation came influence of Eastern philosophies Count Saint-German Cagliostro Eliphias Lévi Papus Aleister Crowley Nacist and soviet occultism
Lodge communities Rosicrucianism Ordo templi orientis Hermetic order of Golden dawn
TODAY´S INTERSECTIONS WITH MODERN SCIENCE
Quantum physics Theory of strings Quantum mechanics Alternate reality and virtual reality
Neurology Brain frequency and perception
CONCLUSIONMagic is phenomena that occurs in every culture on Earth and is part of cultural heritage of human race. No matter from which point you také it, it´s important feature of human thinking and as such should be studied and not simply rejected. Studied carefully it can show us problems that are similar to nowadays scientific controversions and also some methods can helps us to understand human perception.