If, . . . my father had taken the pains to explain to me that the principles of Agrippa had been entirely exploded and that . . . the powers of [Agrippa] were chimerical, . . . I should certainly have thrown Agrippa aside. . .

Question

If, . . . my father had taken the pains to explain to me that the principles of Agrippa had been entirely exploded and that . . . the powers of [Agrippa] were chimerical, . . . I should certainly have thrown Agrippa aside. . .

A chimera is a deception or fantasy of the mind.

What is the effect of using the word chimerical to describe the powers of the principles of Agrippa?

It suggests Agrippa is no more than imaginary.
It suggests this period of time was crucial to the narrator.
It suggests the principles have the illusion of truth.
It suggests the speaker is haunted by his past.

I think the answer is the third one

Answer 1

You are correct! The effect of using the word "chimerical" to describe the powers of the principles of Agrippa is that it suggests the principles have the illusion of truth. The term "chimerical" implies that the powers are deceptive, fantastical, or unreal. It describes something that is imagined or invented rather than based on reality. So, in this context, it implies that the principles of Agrippa may seem convincing or persuasive, but in reality, they are not grounded in truth or evidence.

If, . . . my father had taken the pains to explain to me that the principles of Agrippa had been entirely exploded and that . . . the powers of [Agrippa] were chimerical, . . . I should certainly have thrown Agrippa aside. . .

I agree.