Science and Specters At Salem

Most studies of the Salem witch trials focus on social history and the dynamics between accused and accusers. Science and Specters at Salem turns instead to the intellectual background of the judges to understand why they accepted controversial types of evidence.
The role of judges in a witch trial was central. Goldish argues that in Salem the judges' acceptance of questionable touch tests and spectral evidence was a result of their intellectual commitments. Several of the Salem judges were highly educated, and some of them were adherents of a particular philosophical school in England led by Henry More and Joseph Glanvill which Goldish calls "the anti-Sadducees." He demonstrates how the ideas of these leading thinkers, friends of Robert Boyle and Sir Isaac Newton, could have led to the deaths of twenty accused witches in Salem.
This book will interest students and scholars of witch trials, American colonial history, Atlantic history, legal history and early modern Europe, as well as lay readers wanting a better understanding of Salem.

List of contents

Introduction  1. The Court  2. Unusual Zeal, Touch Tests and Spectral Evidence  3. Spirit and Body  4. Return to Salem  5. Aftermath

About the author

Matt Goldish is the Samuel M. and Esther Melton Chair in History at The Ohio State University. His previous books include Judaism in the Theology of Sir Isaac Newton (1998), The Sabbatean Prophets (2004) and Jewish Questions: Responsa on Sephardic Life in the Early Modern Period (2008).

Summary

Most studies of the Salem witch trials focus on social history and the dynamics between accused and accusers. Science and Specters at Salem turns instead to the intellectual background of the judges to understand why they accepted controversial types of evidence.

Product details

• Authors: Matt Goldish, Matt (The Ohio State University Goldish, Goldish Matt
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 05.09.2024
• EAN: 9781032317892
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3231789-2
• No. of pages: 130
• Series: Routledge Studies in the History of Witchcraft, Demonology and Magic
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Massachusetts, HISTORY / General, Witchcraft, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / United States / Colonial Period (1600-1775), HISTORY / North America, HISTORY / Women, Religion: general, Salem (MA), Social and cultural history, Satanism & demonology, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, History of the Americas, Magic, alchemy and hermetic thought, Magic, alchemy & hermetic thought, Eclectic & Esoteric Religions & Belief Systems, Eclectic and esoteric religions and belief systems, Satanism and demonology