Magnetisers, Hypnotists and Magic Hands: Philosophical Perspectives on Pseudoscience from the Renaissance until Today.

The debate on what qualifies as science proper has a long philosophical trajectory. In this seminar, we will focus on philosophical discourses regarding practices that have been marginalized in contemporary science. We will consider the historical and philosophical importance of specific pseudoscientific procedures such as chyromantics, mesmerism and hypnotism, from the Renaissance until today. We will also examine the various appropriations of these practices within society.

Short papers by Cecilia Muratori (Italian), Alessandra Aloisi (Italian), and Iwona Janicka (French)