Project: Mesmerist spirituality in the Society of Universal Harmony (1783-­1787).

2019-10-01 – 2024-07-31

Abstract

In this research, the problematization of the traditional account of the ‘rational’ Enlightenment’ will be
central, by focusing on the case study of French mesmerism in the Society of Universal Harmony in
Paris (1783-­1787). This will be approached as a ‘spiritual movement’ that put forward selfcare and -­
transformation and will emphasize ‘spiritual’ vocabularies and concepts used by historical actors
themselves.