An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions

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Author Thacher, James, 1754-1844
LoC No. 11006868
Title An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions
Also, an Account of the Witchcraft Delusion at Salem, in 1692
Contents Ghosts and apparitions -- Power of imagination -- Illusions -- Imagination and fear -- Superstition -- Witchcraft and sorcery -- Salem witchcraft -- Omens and auguries -- Medical quackery.
Credits Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Sam W. and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
book was produced from scanned images of public domain
material from the Google Print project.)
Summary "An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions" by James Thacher is a historical treatise written in the early 19th century. This work explores the beliefs surrounding demons, ghosts, witchcraft, and superstitions that have plagued humanity through various ages. Thacher aims to dissect the psychological and societal implications of these phenomena while examining their roots in human imagination and superstition. The opening of the essay outlines the nature of the human mind and its susceptibility to superstition, emphasizing how erroneous beliefs can lead to dire consequences, including violence and persecution. Thacher introduces the concept that apparitions and supernatural experiences can often be explained through natural causes, like the functioning of the nervous system and the power of imagination. He presents various anecdotes and insights to illustrate how perceptions can be distorted by emotional and psychological states, setting the stage for a thorough analysis of the interplay between belief, fear, and rational thought regarding supernatural occurrences. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class BF: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Psychology, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis
Subject Superstition
Subject Witchcraft
Subject Witchcraft -- Massachusetts -- Salem
Category Text
EBook-No. 49152
Release Date
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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