THE SUPERNATURAL AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC SPACE OF DEBATE AT LE MERCURE GALANT AT THE END OF THE 17TH CENTURY

Abstract

This article seeks to contribute with researches that points the creation of a public sphere in the XVIIth century. The French journal Le Mercure Galant was the scene of a discussion about supernatural themes, as such as the baguette divinatoire and the attacks of living dead bloodsuckers, subsequently known as vampires. It is our intent to analyze these productions, searching to perceive methodologies and approaches used by the French men of science of Early Modern Age in relation with supernatural themes, objectifying a better comprehension of early modern erudite culture and its relation with this specific theme.