Witchcraft Dbq

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During the period that the idea of witchcraft was at its peak, in around 1550 to 1680 in Europe, many scholars wrote and published their views on the topic. While a majority of these scholars believed strongly that this form of ‘magic’ did exist and was heavily present in society, there were a handful of educated writers that were skeptical of ‘witchcraft’. Both viewpoints are seen throughout Brian Levack’s, The Witchcraft Sourcebook, which allows readers to fully understand the different thought processes at the time. Through careful examination, it is evident that many had opposing views because of the religious aspect, as well as being medically impossible. In Source 62, entitled Witches As Melancholics, written by Johann Weyer in 1563, …show more content…

Rather than relying on a supernatural being, he argues that human behavior and natural causes adequately account for evil and suffering in the world. Spinoza was skeptical of witchcraft due to his Enlightenment point-of-view. He believed that ‘witchcraft’ was more often caused by ignorance and superstition than actual supernatural beings. Spinoza argued that the human mind was prone to fear and imagination and could be easily influenced into believing in supernatural forces. He shared his viewpoint that the trials for witchcraft were the embodiment of religious fanaticism which highlighted the dangers of allowing fear to rule socially. Examples of this fanaticism can be seen through the Sourcebook, with examples in Sources 38 and 20. Source 28, entitled The Trial and Confession of Elizabeth Sawyer, taken in 1621, a woman who is on trial for witchcraft admits to ‘selling her soul’ to the Devil, as well as praying to him. Source 20, The Pact With the Devil, by Francesco Maria Guazzo in 1608, supports the claims made in this trial unknowingly due to the ways listed that the Devil comes into contact and manipulates

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