Witch Trials In 17th Century Europe

ABSTRACT: When the witch trials started, it seemed the only way to prove you were not a witch was to be a witch. People were faced with impractical, and certainly deadly tasks in order to prove they were not a witch. Tasks they would only survive if they in fact had witchlike powers. In this paper I will argue as to why these trials were irrational. I will draw on reasons and rational from individuals such as Beccaria, Wollstonecraft, Locke, and Voltaire. The history of the witch trials is a grime, gruesome, and shocking reminder of what people are capable of. To say living 17th century Europe was miserable would be a gross understatement. The legal system that Cesare Beccaria advocated reform of was plagued in injustice and corruption, this was one of the leading factors for the terrible conditions in Europe. Attributing the witch trials to mass hysteria, socioeconomic problems and division between the people is fair. However, religious zealots should take most of the responsibility. As the first
Defending the Witch on Behalf of These Philosophers When defending on behalf of Beccaria I would say witches will cease to exist when we stop torturing people and asking them if they are witches. If you torture people long enough asking them if they are Satan himself pretty soon you'll be having to send a bunch of reincarnations of Satan to the stake instead of witches. Torture someone long enough and they'll be whatever you want them to be, witches included. As for Voltaire, I would point out that practices like the witch trials are exactly how societies collapse. Unfortunately, throughout history different societies have accumulated a much larger body count than what Europe did during the witch trials. Still, I would say by racking up such a body count in the name of "religious cleansing of sorts" the only thing you will achieve is people from the outside observing how insane you look. People would possibly cease to trade with you or interact with your