Magic often meant science at the time of the renaissance. Renaissance magic included ceremonial magic and natural magic. Natural magic is what we call natural science, the attempt to harness natural forces, while ceremonial magic is basically what is called sorcery today.
Alchemy for example was just their name for chemistry but was considered a type of magic. Astrology was their name for astronomy and herbology was basically making medicine (potions) from plants. They would usually attach spiritual significance to each of these fields of study, which is the main difference between natural magic and science today. Both are empirical/experimental ways of studying how things work, but one leans towards spiritual hypotheses of explanation while the other has become exclusively naturalistic and mechanistic.
I still wonder how much of the old mentality still exists today, even if they don't call it the same things, I heard something about there being nothing new under the sun. I appreciate your breakdown though.
Magic often meant science at the time of the renaissance. Renaissance magic included ceremonial magic and natural magic. Natural magic is what we call natural science, the attempt to harness natural forces, while ceremonial magic is basically what is called sorcery today.
Alchemy for example was just their name for chemistry but was considered a type of magic. Astrology was their name for astronomy and herbology was basically making medicine (potions) from plants. They would usually attach spiritual significance to each of these fields of study, which is the main difference between natural magic and science today. Both are empirical/experimental ways of studying how things work, but one leans towards spiritual hypotheses of explanation while the other has become exclusively naturalistic and mechanistic.
I still wonder how much of the old mentality still exists today, even if they don't call it the same things, I heard something about there being nothing new under the sun. I appreciate your breakdown though.