2016/01/01 by Lizanne Henderson · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Ancient history #Art #Atheism #Demonology #Enlightenment #Epistemology #Historical Economic and Social Studies #Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes #History #Ignorance #Literature #Medieval Literature and History #Philosophy #Religious studies #Skepticism #Superstition #Theology #Witch
paper · doi:10.1057/9781137313249_7
openalex publication_date 2016/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
A major concern of this study is to investigate the decline or otherwise of witch belief at the dawn of the Scottish Enlightenment and its relationship with folk culture. While the philosophes and literati repeatedly rejoiced that superstition was dead or dying, the reality was that witch belief survived long after the views of the sceptics and the deists had been expressed. In this respect the role of the Kirk was crucial. This chapter investigates the rearguard actions of the Church, concerned as it was with issues of atheism and sadducism in the earliest stages of enlightenment. It also examines the ministers and their followers in prolonging witch belief and the lingering presence of demonic interference. From the late sev enteenth century onwards, there was a palpable decline in the number of witch trials and executions, though not, as will be demonstrated, in expressions of witch belief. There are indications that, in the post-1663 phases of witch prosecution, the suspects were primarily accused of malefice. Several cases can be shown to highlight the nature of those accusations and the supposed activities of witches; others suggest that having a reputation for witchcraft could have unexpected advantages, such as in the 1688 case of Catharine MacTargett of Dunbar, who appeared to almost luxuriate in her powers. Some trials are illustrative of how witchcraft could be used to further a particular cause or agenda of the day. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.