Call for Papers - Science and the Occult: From Antiquity to the Early Modern Period

Science and the Occult - From Antiquity to the Early Modern Period

April 20-21, 2012 (Friday-Saturday)

Hosted by the Department of History and supported by the Bilsland-Puskas Initative endowment at Purdue University

Contact: Angela Catalina Ghionea at email: ghionea@purdue.edu

Keynote speakers:

Edward Bever Ph.D., Chair of History & Philosophy Department, SUNY-Old Westbury (State University of New York)
Nancy L. Turner Ph.D., Chair of Social Sciences and History Department (University of Wisconsin-Platteville); Chair of Societas Alchimica
Abstract submission: 500 words

Deadlines:

* To Chair a Session: September 15, 2011 (Propose a title with short description for a session you would like to chair, and one page Resume)
* Paper Proposals: October 1, 2011 (500 words Abstracts to be submitted as word attachment, plus full CV)
* General Sessions: January 15, 2012 (Offers to preside for possible General Sessions, plus one page Resume)
Topics considered (but not limited to):
History of Magic, Alchemy, Witchcraft, Medicine, Herbalism, Kabala, Numerology, Sacred Geometry, Esoterism, Hermetism and Hermeticism, Divination, Tarot, Astrology, Tradition and Lore, Ciphers and Alphabets, Semiotics and Symbology.

The fascinating recurrence of alchemical symbols in European, American, and Islamic thought, as well as specific non-rational methods employed by many scientists to promote rational discoveries from Ancient times through the Early Modern Period, will be the focus of this conference. We anticipate the publication of an edited Volume II, after the event.

For further information check the conference homepage at http://www.cla.purdue.edu/history/scienceandtheoccult/

E-Mail: 

Address: Department of History
Purdue University,
West Lafayette,
IN 47907
USA