| Description |
xiv, 600 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| ISBN |
9781107070523 hardback |
|
110707052X hardback |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 506-558) and index. |
| Contents |
Part I. Introduction: 1. The scruples of J.G. Frazer; 2. Magic as a classical tradition and its philosophical foundations -- Part II. Mageia: 3. Ancient philosophy in Ficino's magic Plotinus; 4. Ancient philosophy in Ficinio's magic: Neoplatonism and the Chaldaean Oracles; 5. Ancient philosophy in Ficino's magic : Hermes and Proclus; 6. Scholastic philosophy in Ficino's magic; 7. Data: a tale of two fish -- Part III. Hermetica: 8. Hermes the theologian; 9. Hermes domesticated; 10. Hermes on parade -- Part IV. Magic Revived and Rejected: How to do magic, and why; Nature, magic, and the art of picturing; The power of magic and the poverty of erudition; Disenchantment; Part V. Conclusion; Who killed Dabholkar? |
| Summary |
The story of the beliefs and practices called 'magic' starts in ancient Iran, Greece, and Rome, before entering its crucial Christian phase in the Middle Ages. Centering on the Renaissance and Marsilio Ficino - whose work on magic was the most influential account written in premodern times - this groundbreaking book treats magic as a classical tradition with foundations that were distinctly philosophical. Besides Ficino, the premodern story of magic also features Plotinus, Iamblichus, Proclus, Aquinas, Agrippa, Pomponazzi, Porta, Bruno, Campanella, Descartes, Boyle, Leibniz, and Newton, to name only a few of the prominent thinkers discussed in this book. Because pictures play a key role in the story of magic, this book is richly illustrated. |
| Library Class |
Anthrop K530
|
| Subject |
Ficino, Marsilio, 1433-1499.
|
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Magic -- History.
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