A new history that overturns the received wisdom that science displaced magic in Enlightenment Britain—named a Best Book of 2020 by the Financial Times
In early modern Britain, belief in prophecies, omens, ghosts, apparitions and fairies was commonplace. Among both educated and ordinary people the absolute existence of a spiritual world was taken for granted. Yet in the eighteenth century such certainties were swept away. Credit for this great change is usually given to science – and in particular to the scientists of the Royal Society. But is this justified?
Michael Hunter argues that those pioneering the change in attitude were not scientists but freethinkers. While some scientists defended the reality of supernatural phenomena, these sceptical humanists drew on ancient authors to mount a critique both of orthodox religion and, by extension, of magic and other forms of superstition. Even if the religious heterodoxy of such men tarnished their reputation and postponed the general acceptance of anti-magical views, slowly change did come about. When it did, this owed less to the testing of magic than to the growth of confidence in a stable world in which magic no longer had a place.
About the Author :
Michael Hunter is Emeritus Professor of History, Birkbeck, University of London.
Review :
“[D]evelops a different argument in suggesting that it was sceptical humanists and freethinkers, rather than scientists, who did most to discredit traditional magic.”—Tony Barber, Financial Times
"Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of Keith Thomas’s Religion and the Decline of Magic, one of the 20th century’s seminal historical texts. Hunter’s book has a similar-sounding title, but develops a different argument in suggesting that it was sceptical humanists and freethinkers, rather than scientists, who did most to discredit traditional magic"—Tony Barber, Financial Times 'Best Books of 2020: History'
“In forcing us all to think more critically about the ways in which intellectual and cultural change happens, Hunter has again made a major contribution to the history of early modern Britain.”—Dimitri Levitin, Literary Review
“Hunter has taken us on a fascinating journey, providing us with some astute case studies and pointed observations along the way.”—Dr Jan Machielsen, Reviews in History
“Michael Hunter provides a route-map of sorts with which to negotiate this sometimes precarious cognitive terrain.”—Mark Jones, Albion Magazine
“[T]he author’s lucid and detailed exposition introduces us to a cast of lesser known writers – such as Francis Hutchinson, Obadiah Oddy and Richard Mead – as he sketches the broader context in which the seismic shift in attitude occurred, while acknowledging the gulf between educated and popular opinion.”—Paul Sieveking, Fortean Times
“Although most of The Decline of Magic: Britain in the Enlightenment is straightforward intellectual history, folklorists will find two chapters exploring topics that are clear folklore case studies.”—William Pooley, Folklore
“Hunter's book is particularly praiseworthy for its reflection on the nature of intellectual change...He provides us with a thoroughly engaging and stimulating study, which has a particular resonance today.”—Audrey Borowski, Times Literary Supplement
"An original examination of the evolution of ideas that influenced the processes of community regulation such as medicine, justice, witchcraft and the supernatural”—Elizabeth Tingle, Family & Community History
"Hunter’s book weaves a gripping account...He provides a compelling and erudite account that shines light on the origins of the English Enlightenment, while teasing out the complex processes of intellectual change that underpins his study.”—Stephen Brogan, Interlib
"Hunter’s fascinating study sheds light on the roots of this tradition and opens new directions for research."—Kathryn Morris, The Canadian Journal of History
"In 1971, Keith Thomas published what became a classic study on Religion and the Decline of Magic. Half a century later, Michael Hunter approaches that decline from another angle and offers an alternative explanation. Learned, lucid, acute and balanced, Hunter’s book deserves to become another classic."—Peter Burke, author of A Social History of Knowledge
"This is an important and remarkable book, the product of a master of the subject and period. It completely overhauls our view of that subject, answering questions which have hung over it for decades, and raises some exciting and disturbing questions for the present."—Ronald Hutton, author of The Witch
“Michael Hunter, a pre-eminent historian of early modern science, redresses a balance in recent scholarship by examining skepticism towards magical phenomena among British intellectuals of the early Enlightenment. The result is a readable, thought-provoking book that places scientific inquiry firmly within broader historical trends.”—Paul Kléber Monod, author of Solomon's Secret Arts
“Definitely a book to think with. Hunter brings new figures to scrutiny—Obadiah Oddy, Richard Mead, John Wagstaffe, Francis Hutchinson—and expertly weaves them into this tapestry of intellectual and cultural change.”—Justin Champion, author of The Pillars Of Priestcraft Shaken
