This article explores the relationship between the Catholic Church and animal magnetism. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Catholic Church had first tried to stem the rise of animal magnetism in a vague manner, but after a few decades, it eventually put a genuine veto in place. This measure was founded upon the dangers to morality and faith arising from the progressive polarization of the original doctrine in forms related to esotericism. Among the causes of the condemnation by the Congregation of the Holy Office, the primary ones were the naturalist interpretation of the miracles described in the Gospels and in the New Testament, and the possibility of falling under the control of a demonic spirit.

Mazzagatti, R., Belingheri, M., Paladino, M., Dell'Orto, N., Riva, M. (2022). Animal magnetism in Italy during the nineteenth century: the conflicting relationship with the Catholic Church. HISTORY OF PSYCHIATRY, 33(4), 459-466 [10.1177/0957154X221117208].

Animal magnetism in Italy during the nineteenth century: the conflicting relationship with the Catholic Church

Mazzagatti, Roberto
Primo
;
Belingheri, Michael
Secondo
;
Paladino, Maria Emilia;Riva, Michele Augusto
Ultimo
2022

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between the Catholic Church and animal magnetism. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Catholic Church had first tried to stem the rise of animal magnetism in a vague manner, but after a few decades, it eventually put a genuine veto in place. This measure was founded upon the dangers to morality and faith arising from the progressive polarization of the original doctrine in forms related to esotericism. Among the causes of the condemnation by the Congregation of the Holy Office, the primary ones were the naturalist interpretation of the miracles described in the Gospels and in the New Testament, and the possibility of falling under the control of a demonic spirit.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Animal magnetism; Catholic Church; history; hypnosis; mesmerism; somnambulism;
English
19-nov-2022
2022
33
4
459
466
none
Mazzagatti, R., Belingheri, M., Paladino, M., Dell'Orto, N., Riva, M. (2022). Animal magnetism in Italy during the nineteenth century: the conflicting relationship with the Catholic Church. HISTORY OF PSYCHIATRY, 33(4), 459-466 [10.1177/0957154X221117208].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/397722
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