Supernatural beliefs and belief in witchcraft were popular during the early modern period. To consider the rationality of these beliefs necessitates that we consider them in the context of the period. To impose our modern ideas of rationality and reason upon the beliefs of this period takes them totally out of context and renders them irrelevant and possibly even ridiculous. When we study them within the period we can see the beliefs as part of …
showed first 75 words of 1763 total

showed last 75 words of 1763 total
…and sophistication of the society. When modern prejudices are disposed of though it becomes clear that all fashions within a society are either caused by or a reaction against that society. Methods of coping are created by people to fill in the gaps that the society or religion does not fill. Witchcraft and supernatural beliefs were a symptom of a disrupted society and people's use of these ideas to help them cope were perfectly rational.