Superstition in Medicine

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Superstition in Medicine by Hugo Magnus, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Hugo Magnus ISBN: 9781465601803
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Hugo Magnus
ISBN: 9781465601803
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
Faith and superstition are twin brothers. Altho the former leads humanity to its sublimest ideals and the latter only presents us with a caricature of human knowledge, both are children of the same family. Both originate in a sense of the inadequacy of human science in regard to natural phenomena. The fact that the most important processes of organic life can not be traced to their ultimate origin, but that their investigation will soon lead to a point of irresistible opposition to further analysis, has always called forth a feeling of impotency and dependence in the human mind. This consciousness of being dependent upon factors which are entirely beyond human understanding has thus given rise to the metaphysical need of reflecting upon these mysterious factors, and bringing them within reach of human comprehension. Humanity, in attempting to satisfy such a metaphysical requirement from an ethical standpoint, created faith, which subsequently found expression in the various forms of religion. It is not within the scope of this essay to consider how far Divine revelations have been vouchsafed on this subject. Superstition undoubtedly entered the scene when, simultaneously with these, endeavors were made to consider and to explain physical processes from the standpoint of such metaphysical requirements. It is true that this did not, at first, lead to a marked contrast between faith and superstition; for a period existed in which faith and superstition—i.e., the metaphysical consideration of ethical values and the metaphysical consideration of the entire phenomena of life—were not only equivalent, but even merged into one conception. This occurred in an age in which mankind considered all terrestrial processes, whether they were of a psychical or of a material nature, as immediately caused by the steady interference of supernatural powers—a period during which the deity was held responsible for all terrestrial phenomena.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Faith and superstition are twin brothers. Altho the former leads humanity to its sublimest ideals and the latter only presents us with a caricature of human knowledge, both are children of the same family. Both originate in a sense of the inadequacy of human science in regard to natural phenomena. The fact that the most important processes of organic life can not be traced to their ultimate origin, but that their investigation will soon lead to a point of irresistible opposition to further analysis, has always called forth a feeling of impotency and dependence in the human mind. This consciousness of being dependent upon factors which are entirely beyond human understanding has thus given rise to the metaphysical need of reflecting upon these mysterious factors, and bringing them within reach of human comprehension. Humanity, in attempting to satisfy such a metaphysical requirement from an ethical standpoint, created faith, which subsequently found expression in the various forms of religion. It is not within the scope of this essay to consider how far Divine revelations have been vouchsafed on this subject. Superstition undoubtedly entered the scene when, simultaneously with these, endeavors were made to consider and to explain physical processes from the standpoint of such metaphysical requirements. It is true that this did not, at first, lead to a marked contrast between faith and superstition; for a period existed in which faith and superstition—i.e., the metaphysical consideration of ethical values and the metaphysical consideration of the entire phenomena of life—were not only equivalent, but even merged into one conception. This occurred in an age in which mankind considered all terrestrial processes, whether they were of a psychical or of a material nature, as immediately caused by the steady interference of supernatural powers—a period during which the deity was held responsible for all terrestrial phenomena.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book English Fairy Tales by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Letters of Abelard and Heloise to Which Is Prefix’d a Particular Account of Their Lives, Amours, and Misfortunes by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book The Washer of the Ford: Legendary Moralities and Barbaric Tales by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Marzio's Crucifix and Zoroaster by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Dictionnaire raisonné de l'architecture française du XIe au XVIe siècle, Tome Second by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Kirsteen: The Story of A Scotch Family Seventy years ago by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Yoruba-Speaking Peoples of The Slave Coast of West Africa: Their Religion, Manners, Customs, Laws, Language, etc. by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Germany's Fighting Machine: Her Army, her Navy, her Airships and Why She Arrayed Them Against the Allied Powers of Europe by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Zibeline (Complete) by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Germana by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book Our Little Canadian Cousin by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book The Reckoning by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book The Heart Line: A Drama of San Francisco by Hugo Magnus
Cover of the book The Princess Tarakanova: A Dark Chapter of Russian History by Hugo Magnus
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy