Secrets of Fake Sorcerers: Police, Magic, and Scams in 18th Century Paris
Journal name: Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions
Original article title: Ulrike Krampl, Les secrets des faux sorciers. Police, magie et escroquerie à Paris au XVIIIe siècle
The journal “Archives of Social Sciences of Religions” publishes advanced research on religion in French, English, and Spanish. It studies the sociology of religions and religious traditions or theologies. It is supported by the INSHS-CNRS (“Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales”)
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Subtitle: Paris, Éditions de l'EHESS, coll. « En temps et lieux », 2012, 301 p.
Original source:
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Constant Hamès
Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions:
(Founded in 1956 and published quarterly”)
Full text available for: Ulrike Krampl, Les secrets des faux sorciers. Police, magie et escroquerie à Paris au XVIIIe siècle
Year: 2012 | Doi: 10.4000/assr.24618
Copyright (license): © Archives de sciences sociales des religions
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Ulrike Krampl's book, Les secrets des faux sorciers. Police, magie et escroquerie à Paris au XVIIIe siècle, explores the intersection of magic, police authority, and fraud in 18th-century Paris. Drawing primarily from documentation from Parisian tribunals and police, Krampl highlights how the centralization of police power after 1667 reshaped societal views on magic and sorcery. The analysis reveals how the state responded to perceived magical practices and the cultural implications of these actions, reflecting broader social dynamics of the time.
The Fabrication of Sorcery
One of the key concepts in Krampl’s work is the notion of "fake sorcerers" as a product of the police's regulatory framework. The term “fake sorcerers” shifts the perception of magic from genuine belief systems to expressions of deceitful practices and fraud, intertwined with societal fears and superstitions. Krampl notes that rather than directly confronting spiritual or religious aspects of magic, the police reframed it through a lens of criminality, categorizing rituals and beliefs into scams under the emerging legal definitions of fraud. The book underscores that the motivations behind these so-called magical practices were often related to universal human desires such as wealth, happiness, and protection, revealing underlying patterns of behavior rather than purely supernatural beliefs.
Conclusion
Krampl’s work provides a comprehensive historical analysis that places 18th-century Paris at the crossroads of magic, belief, and state authority. By investigating the documentation surrounding accusations of fraudulent sorcery, she highlights how institutional power shaped understandings of magic within society. The book not only sheds light on specific cultural practices of the era but also prompts a reevaluation of the relationship between belief, crime, and authority, making it a significant contribution to the studies of anthropology, social history, and the evolution of legal systems regarding magic and superstition.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the focus of Ulrike Krampl's book on Paris in the 18th century?
Ulrike Krampl's book examines the intersection of police, magic, and fraud in 18th century Paris, revealing societal dynamics through historical documentation related to cases of false sorcery and the broader implications of these beliefs.
How does the book address the concept of magic and sorcery?
The book highlights how 'false sorcerers' and 'fraud' are defined within police documents, demonstrating a blend of practices regarded as superstitions, while exploring the social and economic motivations behind these practices in society.
What role do police archives play in Krampl’s research?
Police archives provide the primary documentation for Krampl's analysis, showcasing various cases from 1692 to 1783, which reflect the shift in authority from religious to secular institutions regarding practices associated with magic and sorcery.
Glossary definitions and references:
Theological and religious glossary list for “Secrets of Fake Sorcerers: Police, Magic, and Scams in 18th Century Paris”. The list explains important keywords that occur in this and other scholarly articles. It is also linked to the glossary for understanding that concept in the context of History, Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Sociology etc.
1) Magic:
Magic plays a central role in the book as it examines the practices associated with false sorcerers in Paris during the 18th century. The exploration of magic reveals significant insights into social dynamics and belief systems prevalent at that time.
2) Police:
The police are pivotal in this study as their evolving authority and documentation practices reflect the changing legal landscape regarding magic and fraud, allowing researchers to understand how magic was regulated and perceived by the state.
3) Paris:
Paris serves as the primary setting of the book, providing a rich context for the discussion of magic, fraud, and the societal tensions that shaped belief systems and practices within the city during that historical period.
4) Secret (Secrecy, Secretly):
Secrets are integral to the operations of false sorcerers, as their practices often promised hidden knowledge or power to their clients, which ties into both the allure and suspicion surrounding magic in society.
5) Religion:
Religion intersects with magic in the text, particularly through the use of religious texts in magical practices, illustrating how spiritual beliefs influenced perceptions of magic and framed societal responses to it.
6) Hundred:
The study encompasses a timeline and analysis involving nearly a hundred various cases documented by police, which provides a quantitative understanding of the phenomenon of magic and fraud in 18th-century Paris.
7) Treasure:
The pursuit of treasure is a recurring theme within the magic practiced by sorcerers, reflecting human desires for wealth and prosperity, and highlighting the motivations behind many magical interventions.
8) Book:
The book serves as a comprehensive resource detailing the investigation of magic and fraud in Paris, drawing from historical documents to weave a narrative about the cultural and societal implications of these practices.
9) Divination:
Divination is mentioned as one of the practices associated with false sorcerers, emphasizing the quest for knowledge about the future and how it ties into broader themes of belief, hope, and societal order.
10) Imaginary:
Imaginary aspects of magic, as described in the book, suggest how perceptions of the supernatural can shape societal fears and responses, highlighting the blurred lines between reality and belief systems.
11) Wealth:
Wealth acquisition is a primary objective for many involved in magic, thus reflecting not only personal aspirations but also wider social implications regarding economics and status in 18th-century Paris.
12) Crime:
The categorization of magic as a crime emerged from police definitions and societal attitudes, illustrating the tension between belief in the supernatural and the legal frameworks of the time.
13) Court:
The court system plays a role in shaping how crimes related to magic were adjudicated, providing a lens through which to examine societal attitudes toward magic and the enforcement of law in the city.
14) King:
The king's authority intertwined with the police's control over societal order, illustrating the dynamics of power and governance that affected the practice and perception of magic in Paris.
15) Enlightenment:
The Enlightenment period is significant contextually in this work, reflecting the broader intellectual currents that influenced notions of reason, belief, and the legitimacy of magical practices.
16) Possession:
[see source text or glossary: Possession]
17) Perception:
Perceptions of magic are shaped by cultural, legal, and religious frameworks, making the study a rich exploration of how beliefs are constructed and interpreted in society.
18) Discussion:
Discussion surrounding the academic exploration of magic and its societal implications provides a platform for understanding the intersections of belief, power, and historical context in 18th-century Paris.
19) Experience:
[see source text or glossary: Experience]
20) Happiness:
The pursuit of happiness through magical means reflects human desires and aspirations, raising questions about morality, social justice, and the role of belief in achieving personal satisfaction.
21) Evolution:
The evolution of magical practices and police responses over time highlights the changing nature of society's relationship with magic, emphasizing how historical contexts influence beliefs.
22) Cross road (Crossroad):
The book stands at the crossroad of various fields, including sociology, history, and religious studies, allowing for a multifaceted exploration of magic and its societal roles.
23) Spiritual:
Spiritual aspects related to magic are explored through the interactions with religious texts and beliefs, demonstrating how spirituality informs perceptions and practices of magic.
24) Creation:
[see source text or glossary: Creation]
25) Fraction:
The notion of a fraction of total magical practices is significant, as it highlights the limitations of police documentation and suggests that much activity remained unrecorded or hidden.
26) Hunting:
Hunting for treasure is a key activity undertaken by false sorcerers, showcasing human urges for wealth and the lengths individuals might go to satisfy these desires through magic.
27) Repair:
Magic is often employed as a means of repair, whether that be for wealth, health, or happiness, illustrating the various functions that magical practices served in society.
28) Priest:
Priests are highlighted as key figures within magical contexts, as their access to religious texts and knowledge positions them as practitioners of certain magical rites and beliefs.
29) Health:
Health is a concern intertwined with magical practices, as individuals sought remedies and interventions through magic in hopes of improving their well-being and addressing ailments.
30) Money:
Money is a central theme in discussions of magic, as false sorcerers often offered services aimed at financial gain, further linking economic concerns with magical beliefs.
31) Power:
Power dynamics are evident in the relationship between the police, the king, and the practitioners of magic, revealing how societal structures influenced the practice and perception of magic.
32) Woman (Women):
Women are prominently featured in the study as they make up a significant portion of the accused in cases of magic, reflecting social dynamics and gender roles within the context of magical practices.
33) Realm:
[see source text or glossary: Realm]
34) Human:
Human desires and impulses drive the practice of magic as individuals seek solutions to their problems and aspirations, illustrating the fundamental connection between magic and the human experience.
35) Love:
Love is one of the aspects of life that individuals sought to influence through magic, underscoring the emotional and relational dimensions that magic aimed to address.
36) City:
The city of Paris sets the scene for the practices and beliefs discussed within the book, offering a distinct urban landscape that influenced the dynamics of magic and fraud.