Witchcraft, genealogy, Foucault

Area of Science:

• History
• Social Theory
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• Historiography of European witchcraft trials often relies on assumptions of "unsophisticated" early modern mentalities.
• This perspective leads to incomplete understandings of accused individuals and trial dynamics.
• Genealogy offers a critical lens to re-examine these historical narratives.

Observation:

• Traditional scholarship inadequately represents accused witches and their social contexts.
• Assumptions about early modern European mentalities shape historical interpretations.
• Genealogical analysis challenges notions of reason, order, power, and progress.

Findings:

• Genealogy provides effective tools for analyzing witchcraft beliefs and their social significance.
• It reframes the understanding of witchcraft trials by questioning foundational concepts.
• The study highlights the crucial role of witchcraft beliefs in social theory.

Implications:

• Rethinking historical mentalities improves representations of marginalized groups in trials.
• Genealogical insights enhance the analysis of power, truth, and governance in historical contexts.
• This approach offers a more nuanced understanding of belief systems and social structures.