What was the distinction between natural and supernatural events in the medieval world? (One of the questions that I have to answer in an essay regarding Robert Bartlett's book 'The Natural and the Supernatural in the Middle Ages)
My answer: Natural events can be classified as something that is as grand as the whole physical creation but can also be used in understated statements that can be used in the definitions of the word "natural" that range from "not artificially made" to "native". So in the sense of natural events in the medieval world, natural events would be events that repeatedly occurred compared to events that erratically occurred which could be viewed as the work of the supernatural and those events that erratically occurred could be viewed as supernatural events. In contrast supernatural events can be classified as events or things that are beyond nature and are therefore their causes for existence are in God's hands alone.So in the sense of supernatural events in the medieval world, supernatural events would be events that occurred occasionally and was spread out over a period of time.
Yes, that is chapter 2 of Barnett. But he did show what was natural for one could be supernatural to another (ie, the eclipse). You did not address his discussion of types of beings: angelic, demonic, humans, and "dog-heads" (monsters). He later explored the realm of experimentation to sort out natural vs supernatural. I assume you have figured out that the concept of Supernatural was not a concept in the Western World until the 13th century
So in my shoes, Bob, would you rewrite what I have for my answer by including what you stated above?
In order to fully answer this question for your essay, you can refer to Robert Bartlett's book "The Natural and the Supernatural in the Middle Ages." The book explores the distinction between natural and supernatural events in the medieval world in depth and provides a scholarly analysis of the topic.
To understand this distinction, it is important to consider the medieval worldview and beliefs. During the Middle Ages, people interpreted events and phenomena through a religious lens, attributing them to the workings of either the natural or supernatural realm.
Natural events refer to occurrences that can be explained by the laws of nature. These events are seen as part of the regular order of things, following predictable patterns. They can include phenomena such as weather patterns, the growth of crops, or the ebb and flow of tides. Natural events were often associated with physical causes and could be observed and studied.
Supernatural events, on the other hand, were seen as beyond the laws of nature and were attributed to divine or spiritual forces. They were considered to be the result of divine intervention, miracles, or manifestations of God's will. Examples of supernatural events could be visions, apparitions, or other extraordinary occurrences that were not explainable by natural laws.
In the medieval world, the distinction between natural and supernatural events was not always clear-cut. People believed that the natural and supernatural realms were interconnected and influenced each other. They saw signs and omens in natural events that they interpreted as messages from God or other spiritual entities.
To answer your essay question, you can delve deeper into Bartlett's analysis and provide specific examples from the book that highlight the medieval understanding of the distinction between natural and supernatural events. This will allow you to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic and provide evidence-based arguments for your answer.