Introduction o Mechanics of course o text, requirements, etc o Metaphysics & Epistemology: o what do they mean? o What do they have to do with witchcraft? o Witchcraze o When? Who? What? Where?
Mechanics o Texts: o Servants of Satan, Joseph Klaits o Reading pack o Requirements: 3 tests and a final exam o all multiple choice o tests - 1hour, 50 questions o Final exam - 2 hours, 100 questions o Office hours: by appointment o How to contact me: o Or ext
Web Site o
Metaphysics o Study of the nature and structure of reality o What is the world made of? o How are things caused? o Can spirits be a causal factor in nature?
Epistemology o Study of the nature and justification of knowledge o What is truth? o Is there anything we can be certain about? o Can we know witches do or do not exist?
What is the Witchcraze? o Years: roughly o Witches hunted prior to this period: earliest trials in 1300s o Witchcraze refers the period in which the hunting of witches reached a peak o Last recorded trial c. 1670
Who were the witches?
o The Roman Inquisition o Used ‘inquisitorial method o Very efficient for witch-hunting o No restriction on who can testify o Rumour and hearsay acceptable evidence o Closed trial w/ no defense for accused o Torture a valid means for eliciting confession Who were the Witch-hunters
The Crimes of Witchcraft: Maleficia o harm doing by means of magic
Satanism o Sabbat - the meeting of witches & devil o initiation into Satanism, and devil-worship ceremonies
Sabbat
Flying to the Sabbat
Sexual perversion
Pact with the Devil o the kiss of infamy o all these elements were behind witch’s ability to perform maleficia
Inversion of Catholic Mass
o Germany: o Poland: o Switzerland: o France: o England/ Scotland: o Scandinavia: o Hungary/Transylvania/ Russia: o Italy/Greece/Spain: o Approx. Total = o Approx. Executions = Places & Numbers of Trials
Women o % of accused were women