Eros and Magic in the Renaissance

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A common belief in modern scientific society is that "magic" is a mere collection of outdated and nonsensical practices. This work challenges that notion, offering a scholarly exploration of magic's role and its evolution into contemporary forms. According to Ioan Couliano, Renaissance magic was a scientifically grounded attempt to influence individuals through an understanding of motivations, especially erotic ones. The core idea was that sexual desire could sway everyone and everything. Additionally, magicians employed advanced memory techniques to shape the imaginations of their subjects. Couliano posits that magic serves as a precursor to modern psychological and sociological disciplines, positioning the magician as a forerunner to psychoanalysts and marketing professionals. Couliano delves into the works of influential figures like Giordano Bruno, Marsilio Ficino, and Pico della Mirandola, shedding light on various facets of Renaissance culture, including heresy, medicine, astrology, alchemy, courtly love, classical mythology, and even fashion. While science has become the dominant narrative of our age, magic once provided a similar narrative during the Renaissance. The reliance on images in magic faced repression during the Reformation, leading to its decline in favor of precise science and technology. Couliano's insightful scholarship revives the significance of magic, appealing to a diverse audience in the humanities