Keith Thomas Religion And The Decline Of Magic
Keith Thomas' classic work, Religion and the Decline of Magic, is a seminal text in the field of history, exploring the relationship between religion and magic during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. First published in 1971, the book has remained a touchstone of scholarship, influencing generations of historians and scholars in fields ranging from religious studies to anthropology. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive review of Thomas' work, exploring its key themes and arguments, and assessing its significance in the broader context of historiography.
The Context of the Book
Thomas' book is situated within a larger historiographical shift in the study of magic, religion, and the supernatural. Prior to the publication of Religion and the Decline of Magic, historians typically treated magic as a marginal, irrational, and superstitious phenomenon, often separate from the mainstream of religious thought and practice. Thomas challenges this view, arguing that magic was deeply intertwined with religion during the early modern period, and that it played a significant role in shaping religious beliefs and practices.
Thomas' argument is rooted in his analysis of popular beliefs and practices related to magic and religion. Drawing on a wide range of sources including court records, diaries, and other contemporary documents, Thomas demonstrates that magic was a widespread and pervasive phenomenon during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Rather than being the preserve of a few isolated individuals, magic was practiced by people from all walks of life, and was often central to their religious beliefs and practices.
The Decline of Magic
Despite the pervasiveness of magic during the early modern period, Thomas argues that it underwent a gradual decline over the course of the seventeenth century. This decline, he suggests, was due to a number of factors, including the rise of science and the Enlightenment, the growth of the nation-state, and the changing social and economic conditions of the time.
One of the key factors in the decline of magic, according to Thomas, was the increasing emphasis on rationality and empirical evidence in the seventeenth century. As people became more skeptical of magical beliefs and practices, they began to turn to more empirical modes of inquiry, such as science and philosophy. This led to a gradual marginalization of magic, and eventually to its rejection as a legitimate form of knowledge.
The Significance of the Book
Thomas' book is significant for a number of reasons. First, it challenged the traditional view of magic as a marginal and irrational phenomenon, and placed it within the broader context of religious beliefs and practices. This helped to open up new avenues of inquiry for scholars interested in the history of religion and magic.
Second, the book contributed to a growing awareness of the importance of popular culture in shaping religious beliefs and practices. By focusing on the beliefs and practices of ordinary people, Thomas helped to shed light on a previously neglected aspect of religious history.
Finally, Religion and the Decline of Magic has had a profound influence on the study of religion and magic in the decades since its publication. Its arguments and insights have been taken up by scholars across a wide range of fields, and it remains an essential text for anyone interested in the history of magic and religion.
Conclusion
Keith Thomas' Religion and the Decline of Magic is a classic work of history, exploring the relationship between magic and religion during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. By challenging the traditional view of magic as a marginal and irrational phenomenon, Thomas helped to open up new avenues of inquiry for scholars interested in the history of religion and magic. His analysis of the decline of magic, and its relationship to the rise of science and the Enlightenment, remains a significant contribution to the field of historiography. Overall, Religion and the Decline of Magic remains an essential text for anyone interested in the history of religion, magic, and popular culture.