Overview

Lynn Thorndike, of Columbia University, in his critical essay on The Place of Magic in the Intellectual History of Europe (1905), finds in Plato suggestions that he believed in astrology - in the potent influence of the stars over all changes in earthly matter. Aristotle's doctrine, says Thorndike, was similar, and he sees in it some preparation for mediaeval astrology and demonology, as also in the philosopher's attribution of souls to plants and animals a theory which would readily lend itself to an assumption of magic properties in herbs and beasts. From such considerations the inference is drawn that Greek science at its best was not untainted with magic. In Rome, Thorndike tells us, even Cicero's condemnation of astrology is somewhat neutralized by the fact that in his Dream of Scipio he apparently attributes to planets influence over man. According to Thorndike, men in the Roman Empire condemned magic, but understood the word in a restricted and bad sense; Pliny, who pretended to be free from all belief in it, is made to appear actually addicted to it, at least in the sense that he accepted much of its traditions, beliefs, and practices, as also did Seneca and later men of eminence in the imperial world, as well as Cato and others of an earlier day. - The Standard History of the World, Vol. 9

Full Product Details

9781085978682

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available