Enlightenment thinkers criticized magical rituals and beliefs from "summary" of Religion and the Decline of Magic by Keith Thomas
During the Enlightenment period, thinkers began to challenge long-held beliefs and practices, including those related to magic and ritual. These intellectuals sought to promote reason and rationality over superstition and supernatural explanations. They viewed magical rituals and beliefs as primitive and irrational, lacking any scientific basis or empirical evidence. Enlightenment thinkers criticized magical rituals and beliefs because they believed that they hindered the progress of society. They argued that superstitions and magical practices were holding back advancements in fields such as science, medicine, and technology. By promoting irrational beliefs and reliance on supernatural forces, they felt that magical rituals were preventing individuals from seeking logical and evidence-based solutions to problems. Furthermor...
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