From Paracelsus to Newton: Magic and the Making of Modern Science

by Charles Webster

Many of us grew up believing that the scientific revolution begun in the 16th century was so radical and universal that it literally swept away all traces of magic and occultism. In this book, the author argues persuasively that hermeticism, alchemy, Neoplatonism, & other examples of "unscientific" thinking continued well into the 17th century, co-existing with and providing a lively source of inspiration for experimental science. Contrary to popular opinion, the "new science" associated with Newton's generation was not accompanied by a decline in the magical arts associated with the 15th-century alchemist Paracelsus. Indeed, for many decades, the activities of the Royal Society and of Newton himself reflected interest in such ideas as astrology, alchemy, astronomy, and theology--proving that the Age of Enlightenment did not fully separate science and religion.

Genres: History, Science, Nonfiction, History Of Science

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Charles Webster, BSc, MSc, MA, DSc, is Emeritus Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of a number of books that aim to revise the simple 'whig' rationalist history of the origins of modern science, this book is a short, lucid place to begin rethinking the influence of historical context on 'great men' like Newton and the importance, in context, of men like Paracelsus whose ideas are so hard for us to understand.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very highbrow book requiring much of the reader. Amazingly, it is based on a series of lectures. They must have been given to professionals in the fields of the history of science or early modern history as the author tosses around references to rather obscure books and assumes some familiarity with Latin. His point, however, is pretty simple, viz. that those often cited as the agents of Enlightenment and the Fathers of Science were, with very few exception, ridden with what we think of as superstition. The false impressions adduced by many histories of science arises from selective reporting which excludes this inconvenient fact.

Other that that, the author seems at some pains to defend Paracelsus from his detractors.

[Erick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uno de los personajes que más admiro es Paracelso,este libro ayudara a que conozcan la gran influencia en múltiples áreas que dejó este sr,incluso siendo referente y "mentor" de Newton en alquimia y otras áreas.El libro es muy complicado de leer por la gran cantidad de referencias ,palabras técnicas y situaciones de la época.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the subject of Early Modern magic. It’s dated (1980) but the most complete introduction to the literature and arguments of 1500s England. Webster does in a hundred pages what others cannot accomplish in volumes, to eruditely contextualize the argument citing all the sources with no digressions. He is laser like in his focus.

[Ankh156 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Paracelsus to Newton. A world apart? Not necessarily.

Charles Webster compares society and religion around the time of both men and finds that even though we look at the different ages as two different words, in reality, the world is the same.

The Preface tells the whole story. However, we get the details in three lectures:
Prophecy
Spiritual magic
Demonic Magic

The notes are found at the end of each lecture so you have to keep your finger in the book.

[Coyote Zuma-Shōjin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a truly excellent text