Johann Wier: Debating the Devil and Witches in Early Modern Europe

This book challenges the dominant idea of executing witches in 16th-century Europe by arguing that they should be cured instead. Johann Wier, a physician and scholar, defended witches by suggesting that Satan seduced them and that they should be treated for their melancholy. He was the first to use arguments adopted in the emerging debate on religious tolerance in defense of witches. The book provides an innovative view of Wier's thought by highlighting his sources and his attempts to involve theologians, physicians, and philosophers in his fight against cruel witch hunts. It emphasizes the duty of every good Christian to not abandon anyone who strays from the flock of Christ and showcases Wier's outstanding and prolific heritage for debating religious tolerance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

This captivating and groundbreaking assertion emerged in 16th-century Europe, sparking a profound debate that would endure for centuries. It was the physician and scholar Johann Wier (1515-1588) who dared to challenge the prevailing notion that witches should be executed without mercy. Over three centuries later, Sigmund Freud, renowned for his profound insights into the human psyche, included Wier's work among the ten books that he deemed essential for readers to explore. According to Wier, the seduction of Satan played a pivotal role in the lives of witches, rendering their execution unjust. Instead, he advocated for their healing, recognizing the profound melancholy that afflicted them. As the witch hunt intensified, Wier emerged as the first to employ arguments emerging in the nascent debate on religious tolerance in defense of witches.

This comprehensive study is the first to offer a fresh perspective on Wier's thought, highlighting his extensive sources and his efforts to enlist the support of theologians, physicians, and philosophers in his relentless battle against the cruel practices of witch hunts. Johann Wier: Debating the Devil and Witches situates and elucidates Wier's claim as a product of a moral and religious journey, as well as the culmination of his medical expertise. The book aims to provide an insightful examination of Wier's works, emphasizing his fervent pleas that implored every virtuous Christian to extend compassion to those who had strayed from the flock of Christ. Despite facing vehement opposition from figures such as Jean Bodin, Wier's legacy as a debater of religious tolerance remains celebrated, and his profound contributions to the field continue to inspire and influence.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789462988729