Medicine, magic, and the Medicine, magic, and the scientific revolutionscientific revolutionDr Matthew BroomeAssociate Clinical Professor of PsychiatryUniversity of Warwick

Content of sessionContent of sessionThe scientific revolutionYates and the Rosicrucian

EnlightenmentElizabethan Magi and

PsychiatristsEchoes in the 20th century

Discussion of readings.

The scientific revolution iThe scientific revolution i“There was no such thing as the

Scientific Revolution, and this is a book about it.” Steven Shapin (1996, 1).

Simply, Copernicus (1473 -1543) to Newton (1643 -1727)

Shift from Aristotelian and Scholastic physics.

The scientific revolution iiThe scientific revolution iiCrucial idea that laws of nature

on earth could be applied to the heavens (Galileo).

Sun, stars, and planets – no change or imperfection. Uniform circular motion.

Galileo’s sunspots.Copernican solar system and

overturning of Ptolemy.

The scientific revolution iiiThe scientific revolution iiiTeleological views of nature

being replaced by mechanical model. Clock metaphor.

Descartes ‘there is no difference between the machines built by artisans and the diverse bodies that nature alone composes.’

The scientific revolution ivThe scientific revolution ivStyleGentlemanly, dispassionate, modest.Arguments re: experimentation,

detail of methods (Boyle vs. Newton).Particular instances and induction.Patronage vs. universities, church.Bacon, science and the state:

‘Solomon’s House’. Extension of knowledge and of power.

Natural magic traditionNatural magic traditionMechanical philosophers

contrasted themselves with those who espoused occult powers.

Sympathy, attraction, repulsion.Means by which acted not

specifiable by ordinary ‘manifest’ properties of sensible matter.

Human body (microcosm) and universe (macrocosm).

HermeticismHermeticismEgyptian god Thoth identified with

Greek Hermes. Called ‘thrice great’.

‘Hermes Trismegistus’ author of literature around astrology, occult, sympathetic magic. Mistakenly thought to be ancient Egyptian but Hermetica date from AD 100-300. Multiple unknown Greek authors.

Crossover of traditionsCrossover of traditionsKepler – astrologistBacon and Boyle – celestial

influencesNewton – alchemy and cabala.

Empiricism of scientists also seen in natural magicians: reading the ‘Book of Nature’.

Prior to the Fall: pure and uncorrupted knowledge.

Yates’ RenaissanceYates’ RenaissanceFrances Yates 1899 -1981.Importance of Hermetic thought in

European culture and the development of science.

‘Rosicrucian’ example of Dr John Dee 1527 -1609. Alchemy, cabala, hermeticism.

Bacon, Newton.Dee’s influence on Elizabethan

England, Sidney, politics, and poetry.

Yates’ Renaissance iiYates’ Renaissance iiMagic was mathematics and

mechanism in lower world, celestial mathematics in heavens, and angelic conjuration in super-celestial world.

Turning towards scientific enquiry was inspired by Hermetic-Cabbalist religious attitudes (Yates on Giordano Bruno).

Idea of Enlightenment and new illumination

Yates’ Renaissance iiiYates’ Renaissance iiiRosicrucian enlightenment: reform

of society, education and religion.Spenser’s Faerie Queen example

of Dee-inspired poetry. Expansionist vision of empire, Raleigh.

Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus as riposte. Conception of Hermetic philosophy as black magic.

Aimed at Puritan Christian Cabalists like Dee.

Historical Notions of InsanityHistorical Notions of InsanityAretaeus

30-90

Galen

130-200

Cullen

1710-90

Pinel

1745-1826

Delirium Phrenitis Phrenitis Mania corporea

Dementia Senile dementia

Moria Amentia senilis

Dementia

Depression Melancholia Melancholia Melancholia

Mania

Schizophrenia

Ordinary, recurrent or divine mania

Mania Mania mentalis and Mania obscura

Mania with or without delusional state

Development Anoia Amentia congenita

Idiocy

Richard NapierRichard NapierOne of last Renaissance magi. Practicing priest and physician who

treated over 2000 patients with mental illness between 1597-1634.

Treated 5-15 patients/day. Detailed questioning and use of astrology.

Mopish, mad, lunatic, troubled in mind, melancholy.

Lesser disorders distinguished from more serious by less frequent violence and rage.

1717thth century explanations for century explanations for mental illnessmental illness

Natural and supernatural.Napier and his clients tended to employ

multiple causes. Immediate cause, linked to temperament and stars.

Physical health and social relationships.Treatments focused on restoring

natural order. Astrology guided timing of medicine, purges, letting, and vomits + allowed influence over sprits.

The 20The 20thth century i century iRivers – medicine grew out of magic

and religionMental factors in aetiology of

disorderMesmer and hypnotism in 18th

centuryMaterialism viewed it as form of

‘magnetism’.Charcot and Freud.Move to free association and

psychoanalysis.

The 20The 20thth century ii century iiFreud’s development of the

unconsciousness allowed him to use strict notions of determinism in psychology: analogy to physical science (hydraulic model).

Strict law of causation and psychical deteminism.

Leads to deep probing into history of patient.

Magus legend (adapted from Magus legend (adapted from E.M. Butler E.M. Butler The Myth of the The Myth of the MagusMagus).).Supernatural or

mysterious originPortents at birthPerils menacing

infancyInitiationDistant

wanderings

Magical contestTrial or

prosecutionLast sceneViolent or

mysterious deathResurrection

and/or ascension.

Readings for discussionReadings for discussionExtracts from

Macdonald’s book detailing Napier’s clinical work.

Extracts from Jung’s autobiography Memories, Dreams and Reflections.

Suggested readingSuggested readingSteven Shapin 1996 The Scientific Revolution.

The University of Chicago Press.Michael MacDonald 1981 Mystical Bedlam.

Cambridge University Press.Lauren Kassell 2005. Medicine & Magic in

Elizabethan London. Oxford University Press.W.H.R. Rivers 1924. Medicine, Magic and

Religion. Routledge.Frances Yates 1972. The Rosicrucian

Enlightenment. Routledge. Frances Yates 1979. The Occult Philosophy in

the Elizabethan Age. Routledge.E.M. Butler 1948 The Myth of the Magus

Cambridge University Press.C.G. Jung 1993. Memories, Dreams,

Reflections. Fontana