The experience of body and soul in the Late Middle Ages, as a process of perdition and purification

Authors

  • Karla Denise Martins Universidade Federal de Viçosa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29327/2401156.19.2-9

Keywords:

health, illness, possession, belief, and religion

Abstract

Studies concerning the relationship between disease and healing, and spirituality have increased, both within the specialized psychiatric/neuroscientific medical fields and also withing the already well-established religious and humanistic circles. Although their approach, methods and even conclusions regarding the religious phenomena differ, it is undeniable that the ritualistic and the, so-called, spiritual practices have been evaluated as significant not only for understanding illness, but also for the processes of illness and healing. With the rise of the logical and rational era, there was a period in which religions were believed to be declining in importance and their active role in the life of individuals was diminishing. However, this assumption was proved to be unfounded after the 18th century. As a result, traces of earlier cultures and traditions survived in the West and still re-emerge from time to time. Therefore, this article aims to examine the role that medieval beliefs, between the 12th and 15th centuries, played in the relation between body, disease, and healing, as well as their persistence throughout the ages.

Author Biography

Karla Denise Martins, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Professora e Pesquisadora do Departamento de História da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Titular na Carreira do Magistério Superior, pós-doutora pela Universidade de Évora-Pt, autora de livros e artigos sobre Religião e religiosidade, com ênfase na História do Cristianismo, Esoterismo e Ocultismo. Também atua nas áreas de História da Arte e Patrimônio Sacro. CV Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/5951025586573656 Contato: karlamartins@gmail.com

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Published

2026-06-30 — Updated on 2026-07-22

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How to Cite

Martins, K. D. (2026). The experience of body and soul in the Late Middle Ages, as a process of perdition and purification. Davar Polissêmica, 19(2), 526–548. https://doi.org/10.29327/2401156.19.2-9 (Original work published June 30, 2026)

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Artigos/Articles: Dossiê/Dossier

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