Occult sciences

Occult sciences is an outdated collective term for various disciplines that are now classified as esoteric . It seems to have arisen in the 16th century and became problematic in the Age of Enlightenment , because the connection between “occult” and “science” was no longer considered permissible. Mostly astrology , alchemy and magic were counted among the occult sciences, sometimes also different forms of fortune telling .

According to a presentation by the religious scholar Wouter J. Hanegraaff , the term “occult sciences” fell into disrepute less because of scientific arguments, but mainly because of Protestant agitation against such “ pagan ” views.

literature

Wouter J. Hanegraaff: The notion of "occult sciences" in the wake of the enlightenment . In: Enlightenment and Esotericism: Paths to Modernity. Ed .: Monika Neugebauer-Wölk, Renko Geffarth, Markus Meumann. De Gruyter, Berlin 2013. pp. 73–95. ( Online )
August Buck (ed.): The occult sciences in the Renaissance. Wolfenbütteler Abhandlungen zur Renaissanceforschung Volume 12, Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 1992, ISBN 978-3447032506 . (Excerpts online: PDF; 5.4 MB )

Individual evidence

^ Wouter J. Hanegraaff: Occult Sciences . In: Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism , Leiden 2006, p. 887.
^ Wouter J. Hanegraaff: The notion of "occult sciences" in the wake of the enlightenment . In: Enlightenment and Esotericism: Paths to Modernity. Ed .: Monika Neugebauer-Wölk , Renko D. Geffarth, Markus Meumann. De Gruyter, Berlin 2013. pp. 73–95. ( Online )

[1] Wouter J. Hanegraaff: Occult Sciences . In: Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism , Leiden 2006, p. 887.

[2] Wouter J. Hanegraaff: The notion of "occult sciences" in the wake of the enlightenment . In: Enlightenment and Esotericism: Paths to Modernity. Ed .: Monika Neugebauer-Wölk , Renko D. Geffarth, Markus Meumann. De Gruyter, Berlin 2013. pp. 73–95. ( Online )