New Books in Intellectual History

Magus: The Art of Magic from Faustus to Agrippa (Harvard UP, 2023) is a revelatory new account of the magus―the learned magician―and his place in the intellectual, social, and cultural world of Renaissance Europe.In literary legend, Faustus is the quintessential occult personality of early modern Europe. The historical Faustus, however, was something quite different: a magus―a learned magician fully embedded in the scholarly currents and public life of the Renaissance. And he was hardly the only one. Anthony Grafton argues that the magus in sixteenth-century Europe was a distinctive intellectual type, both different from and indebted to medieval counterparts as well as contemporaries like the engineer, the artist, the Christian humanist, and the religious reformer. Alongside these better-known figures, the magus had a transformative impact on his social world.Magus details the arts and experiences of learned magicians including Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Johannes Trithemius, and Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. Grafton explores their methods, the knowledge they produced, the services they provided, and the overlapping political and social milieus to which they aspired―often, the circles of kings and princes. During the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, these erudite men anchored debates about licit and illicit magic, the divine and the diabolical, and the nature of “good” and “bad” magicians. Over time, they turned magic into a complex art, which drew on contemporary engineering as well as classical astrology, probed the limits of what was acceptable in a changing society, and promised new ways to explore the self and exploit the cosmos.Resituating the magus in the social, cultural, and intellectual order of Renaissance Europe, Grafton sheds new light on both the recesses of the learned magician’s mind and the many worlds he inhabited. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

In this rich intellectual history of the French-Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas's Talmudic lectures in Paris, Ethan Kleinberg addresses Levinas's Jewish life and its relation to his philosophical writings while making an argument for the role and importance of Levinas's Talmudic lessons.Pairing each chapter with a related Talmudic lecture, Kleinberg uses the distinction Levinas presents between "God on Our Side" and "God on God's Side" to provide two discrete and at times conflicting approaches to Levinas's Talmudic readings. One is historically situated and argued from "our side" while the other uses Levinas's Talmudic readings themselves to approach the issues as timeless and derived from "God on God's own side." In Emmanuel Levinas's Talmudic Turn: Philosophy and Jewish Thought (Stanford UP, 2021), Kleinberg asks whether the ethical message and moral urgency of Levinas's Talmudic lectures can be extended beyond the texts and beliefs of a chosen people, religion, or even the seemingly primary unit of the self.Touching on Western philosophy, French Enlightenment universalism, and the Lithuanian Talmudic tradition, Kleinberg provides readers with a boundary-pushing investigation into the origins, influences, and causes of Levinas's turn to and use of Talmud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

Constitutional Ratification Without Reason (Oxford UP, 2022) focuses on constitutional ratification, the procedure in which a draft constitution is submitted by its creators to the people or their representatives in an up or down vote determining implementation. Ratification is increasingly common and routinely recommended by experts. Nonetheless, it is neither neutral nor inevitable. Constitutions can be made without it and when it is used it has significant effects. This raises the central question of the book: should ratification be recommended? Put another way: is there a reason for treating the procedure as a default for the constitution-making process? Surprisingly, these questions are rarely asked. The procedure’s worth is assumed, not demonstrated, while ratification is generally overlooked in the literature. In fact, this is the first sustained study of ratification. To address these oversights, this book defines ratification and its types, explains for the first time the procedure’s effects, conceptual origins, and history, and then concentrates on finding reasons for its use. Specifically, it builds up and analyzes the three most likely normative justifications. These urge the implementation of ratification because the procedure: enables the constituent power to make its constitution; fosters representation during constitution-making; or helps create a legitimate constitution. Ultimately, these justifications are found wanting, leading to the conclusion that ratification lacks a convincing, context-independent justification. Thus, experts should not recommend ratification as a matter of course, practitioners should not reach for it uncritically, and—more generally—one should avoid the blanket application of concepts from democratic theory to extraordinary contexts such as constitution-making.Jeffrey Lenowitz is the Meyer and W. Walter Jaffe Associate Professor of Politics at Brandeis University, focusing on political theory. His research explores the the procedures uses to create new constitutions; constituent power and constitutional theory; the concept of legitimacy in the social sciences; voting ethics; and other aspects of democratic theory and institutional design. Vatsal Naresh is a Lecturer in Social Studies at Harvard University. His recent publications include co-edited volumes on Negotiating Democracy and Religious Pluralism (OUP 2021) and Constituent Assemblies (CUP 2018). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

In this engaging discussion, Erik Baker, author of 'Make Your Own Job,' sheds light on how the entrepreneurial work ethic reshaped American culture throughout the 20th century. He reveals the unexpected connections between historical figures like Marcus Garvey and Henry Ford, and how this mindset shifted expectations for workers. Baker argues that while promoting individual initiative, this ethos has led to increased economic insecurity and inequality. He explores the roots of the gig economy and its social implications, making a compelling case for reevaluating our relationship with work.

In this lively discussion, David N. Livingstone, Emeritus Professor at Queen's University, dives into his latest book, illuminating how climate has historically shaped human society. He explores the intertwining of climate with imperial control, economic disparities, and even mental health. Livingstone underscores the ancient roots of climate thought and critiques current narratives linking climate to economics. He urges us to rethink our responsibilities amid climate change, advocating for a collective approach to global citizenship.

Ellen Arnold, a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University and author of "Medieval Riverscapes," dives into the intricate world of medieval riverscapes from 300 to 1100 CE. She discusses how rivers were not only vital to medieval life but also shaped cultural narratives and community identities. Through religious and historical texts, Arnold reveals the dual nature of rivers as life-giving and destructive elements, highlighting their influence on storytelling and the socio-cultural fabric of the time. Her insights connect past ecological challenges to contemporary discussions.

Wan-Chuan Kao, a medievalist specializing in late Middle English literature, delves into the complexities of premodern whiteness in his groundbreaking book. He discusses how concepts like fragility and racialicity shaped identity, drawing parallels with modern issues of race. The conversation includes explorations of texts such as Chaucer's works, the significance of material culture like pearls, and the interplay between whiteness and Christian-Jewish identities. Kao also tackles 'boforeness,' linking historical and contemporary discussions on race and identity politics.

Gregory Castle, an Emeritus professor specializing in the Bildungsroman, joins Sarah L. Townsend, co-founder of the Irish Studies Program, and Matthew L. Resnicek, a medical humanities expert. They explore how Irish writers have transformed the Bildungsroman genre to reflect colonial experiences and evolving identities. Key discussions include the impact of cultural nationalism, the challenges faced by protagonists in their quests for self-education, and the intersection of queer narratives with contemporary Irish identity. The conversation provides fresh insights into a rich literary tradition.

In this enlightening conversation, John D. Wilsey, a Professor of Church History and Philosophy at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Senior Fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, discusses the critical evolution of religious freedom within conservatism. He examines how historical perspectives shape contemporary views, the tension between order and liberty, and significant challenges posed by secular trends. Wilsey emphasizes the necessity of religion in maintaining moral frameworks and social cohesion, while reflecting on America's complex past.

Christina Kiaer, a professor of art history at Northwestern University, dives deep into the life and work of Soviet painter Aleksandr Deineka. She discusses how Deineka's art presents an alternative interpretation of Socialist Realism, focusing on collective experiences rather than totalitarian expression. Kiaer highlights his evolution from avant-garde to state-sponsored artist and how his vibrant depictions evoke a sense of community. The conversation also touches on the complex interplay of art, ideology, and social emotions within the Soviet context.