Scientific rationalism undermined the credibility of magic from "summary" of Religion and the Decline of Magic by Keith Thomas
The rise of scientific rationalism in the early modern period challenged the traditional beliefs in magic that had been prevalent for centuries. As people began to embrace the principles of reason and empirical evidence, the credibility of magical practices came under scrutiny. The scientific revolution brought about a profound shift in the way people viewed the world and their place in it. The emphasis on observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning provided a new framework for understanding natural phenomena. This new approach to knowledge creation directly conflicted with the mystical and supernatural explanations offered by magic. By applying the scientific method to the study of the natural world, scholars were able to make significant advancements in fields such as astronomy, physics, and medicine. These discoveries helped to demystify many aspects of the universe that had previously been attributed to magical force...
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