European Magic and its Traditions | Classical and Christian Magic
Anthony Grafton (Princeton) in conversation with Catherine Rider (Exeter), Sergius Kodera (Vienna) and François Quiviger (Warburg).
This online series will explore the three main traditions of European magic—Classical/Christian, Jewish, and Islamic—through conversations with scholars who have recently published or are currently working on topics related to each of these traditions.
Magic, defying a singular definition, has consistently captivated scholars and students across various fields of historical inquiry—from religion to folklore, Neoplatonic philosophy to popular culture, courtly art to talisman making. Far from being a marginal niche subject, or a witness of discarded beliefs, magic has emerged in recent decades as an essential catalyst in the history of knowledge, affecting most fields of human activity.
The study of magic has thus shifted from being viewed as a peripheral curiosity to becoming a central lens through which scholars examine the development of human thought, cultural practices, and societal structures. This paradigm shift has opened up new avenues for understanding the interconnectedness of various disciplines and the impact of magical thinking on historical and contemporary worldviews. As such, the academic exploration of magic continues to yield valuable insights into the complexities of human cognition, belief systems, and cultural evolution.
This talk took place on 12 November 2024.
