The story of Columbus using lunar eclipse prophecies to obtain supplies highlights the close connection between magic and navigation in the 16th century. Both represent fascinating and concerning unknowns, closely related to the differentiation of knowledge thresholds. The article will analyze how "The Book of Faust" and "The Book of Wagner" depict the image of magicians, metaphorically represent maritime adventures, and reflect the global imbalance of knowledge and power at that time. At the same time, combining Foucault's theory of knowledge power, this paper explores the deep mechanisms of psychological conquest and how rationalized narratives conceal the trend of "demonization" of modern individuals.

1、 Introduction: Critique of "Faustian" Knowledge

By analyzing the protagonist's disappointment and negation of knowledge in Goethe's Faust, this paper explores the core issues of early modern knowledge criticism. During the period of scientific revolution, the iteration of new and old knowledge systems laid the foundation for the development of modern science, but the boundary between new and old paradigms was blurred, leading to the disappearance of certainty. Scholars attempt to re-examine the field of knowledge from different dimensions, commenting on the compatibility of various disciplines with Christian doctrine, the reliability of research methods, and the certainty of conclusions. The critical passages of knowledge in the Book of Faust and the Book of Wagner reflect anxiety about the boundary between legal and taboo knowledge.

2、 Between Disenchantment and Demonization: "Natural Magic" and "Magic of the Demon Realm"

Explored the complexity of "magic" as a discourse of knowledge from the 15th to the 17th century. Based on the consensus of Christianity and natural philosophy, scholars have included magic in the scope of natural research, aiming to use logic and knowledge to explain mysterious phenomena such as demons, magic, and witches. The concept of magic involves two knowledge boundaries: the ontological boundary distinguishes between the known and unknown domains of humanity, and the epistemological boundary distinguishes between the known and unknown domains. There is an insurmountable gap between nature and the supernatural, and the field of "mysterious nature" lies between the known and the unknown, easily mistaken for supernatural phenomena. The devil uses the knowledge threshold of humans to mislead them and lure them towards heresy. Magic can be divided into supernatural "heavenly magic", "natural magic" that conforms to natural laws, and "demonic magic" involving demons. Scholars have complex views on the causes and classifications of magical phenomena, and distinguishing whether demons are involved becomes a challenge. The story in the Book of Faust reveals how the devil uses natural laws to create wonders, and the Count's surprise stems from their ignorance of natural laws and magical principles. In the field of natural research, especially in the practical part, it is easy to fall into the suspicion of "demonization". The devil lurks in nature, providing elastic space for attributing mysterious natural phenomena. Natural magic, some magic in the demon world, and natural science have similar goals, and distinguishing the involvement of demons has become the direction of scholars' efforts. In the critique of meta knowledge, the importance of "legality" and "taboos" as the third boundary of knowledge is highlighted, but there was no universally recognized standard at that time, reflecting the anxiety of scholars at that time.

3、 Grapes Taken: The Similarities and Confluences of "Navigation" and "Magic"

Explored the similarities and convergence phenomena between "navigation" and "magic" in the Age of Discovery. Navigation is regarded as an artificial magic, leaving a deep impression on people due to its rapid and large-scale flow of personnel and resources, as well as efficient wealth creation. The discovery of navigation, especially on the American continent, disrupted the existing knowledge order, leading to information explosion and the emergence of the "post truth era", forcing the transformation and reorganization of old learning. Navigation activities are therefore considered dangerous acts with suspicion of heresy. The convergence of the identities of magicians and travelers in the Book of Faust and the Book of Wagner reflects the fusion of maritime and magical discourse. Wagner's name implies the meanings of Columbus and Dutch navigator Vachner, and his observations and wealth during his travels to the Americas are transformed into social capital. Although the Book of Faust holds a reserved attitude towards American knowledge, it still has the infiltration of maritime discourse, reflecting people's initial ideas about global logistics and off-season fruits and vegetables at that time, as well as the reality that this logistics system was built on an unbalanced world pattern. The Book of Wagner directly portrays the act of plunder, not only at the level of violence, but also delving into the psychological conquest of others.

4、 Knowledge Advantage and Psychological Conquest: The Isomorphism of Demons, Magicians, and Colonizers

Explored the relationship between knowledge advantage and psychological conquest, revealing the isomorphism between demons, magicians, and colonizers. The views of Nietzsche and Foucault are used to illustrate the complex relationship between truth and the will to power, as well as the direct connection between power and knowledge. The criticism of demons and magic in Christian culture is used to illustrate how knowledge advantage can be transformed into power. The story of the sorcerer Simon in the medieval story collection "The Golden Legend" showcases the historical background of sectarian competition and how sorcerers acquire supernatural abilities through alliances with demons and gain power by deceiving the masses. In the early modern era, the integration of criticism of magic and knowledge discourse was more evident, such as the exploration of the motives behind the alliance between magicians and demons and the hollow nature of magical spells in Faust stories. Magicians establish dominant relationships by manipulating knowledge thresholds and psychological conquests, which require spontaneous approval from supporting formulas to stabilize. The story of Wagner and Columbus is used to illustrate how cultural hegemony can be achieved through knowledge advantage and psychological conquest, which echoes Said's criticism of cultural hegemony.

5、 The demonization and masking of modern individuals?

Explored the different attitudes towards Wagner and Columbus in the Book of Wagner, revealing the transitional stage of knowledge criticism in early modern Europe. Wagner's kindness is seen as a secondary element in the narrative, while Columbus' magical actions are affirmed. The narrator criticizes those who are allied with the devil, but ignores other evil deeds, while showing a trend of unbinding knowledge criticism from magic criticism. The book implies that by exploring the laws of nature, humans have the ability to see through the tricks of demons and even replace them as colonizers of the natural world. The narrator believes that using reason to explore nature and improve skills is acceptable to God, giving legitimacy to human use of reason. However, this rational and optimistic narrative overlooks the transition between the realm of demons and non demons, as well as the imbalance of global knowledge and power relations in the Age of Discovery. The narrator's negligence seems to foreshadow the direction of world history for hundreds of years to come, as the covenant of reason obscures the unreleased devil's contract and provides legitimacy for the collusion of knowledge and power.

conclusion

Explored the use of "beyond limits" as a national motto of Spain and a symbol of individual spirit in modern times, and analyzed the role of maritime and magical metaphors in the loosening of knowledge boundaries in early modern times. The evolution from the Book of Faust to the Book of Wagner demonstrates the clarity of the world view and the optimism of intellectuals. At the same time, it is pointed out that the discourse of "navigation" and "magic" marks the process of differentiated knowledge thresholds, and travelers use the motto "knowledge is power" to manipulate magic and implement rule. The narrative of rationalization and progress beyond limits obscures the entirety of history, with magic and demons only lurking in navigation, natural sciences, and cultural hegemony. Two types of ignorance have caused disasters in the world: the ignorance of the knowledge power mechanism by the disadvantaged and the lack of awareness of the abuse of this mechanism by the advantaged. The world today is similar to the early modern era, where the information explosion and post truth era have caused anxiety in artificial intelligence, forcing us to rethink epistemological issues such as intelligence. The author calls for a Faustian spirit to break free from disciplinary boundaries, initiate meta knowledge criticism, and issue warnings about potential ethical risks of paradigm shifts. At least one epistemological consciousness should be called for: reverence for the unknown, not assuming an omniscient and omnipotent future, being alert to the magic of discourse, facing the connection between knowledge and power, repairing the rupture between truth and ethics, in order to delay the process of demonization and hegemony taming us.