Synopsis
The Occult Sciences: The Philosophy Of Magic, Prodigies And Apparent Miracles. From The French Of Eusebe Salverte, With Notes Illustrative, Explanatory And Critical By Anth. Todd Thomson. In Two Volumes – Eusèbe Salverte. This work surveys the long history of apparent miracles, prodigies, and magical practices, approaching them as historical phenomena rather than absolute marvels. Salverte argues that what ancient civilizations termed magic often sprang from legitimate natural philosophy, experimental inquiry, and the psychology of belief. He traces how narcotics, perfumes, and ritual rites could induce dreams, intoxication, and altered states that credulous observers interpreted as supernatural revelations or cures. The author analyzes the role of priests, healers, and mystics in shaping credulity, and shows how sensational accounts—opium, belladonna, hyoscamus, datura, and other substances—were used to produce visions, ecstasies, and even “miraculous” recoveries. He also discusses early technologies and phenomena such as Greek fire, gunpowder, magnets, the compass, and galvanism, arguing that many so?called miracles reflect the ingenuity of natural science misrecognized as magic. Salverte concludes that studying ancient “miracles” can illuminate the laws of nature and the history of human thought, rather than merely inflame superstition.
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