Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft - Inherently Human

This book introduces readers to the anthropology of magic, witchcraft, and supernatural belief. It takes a new approach to this area, demonstrating that the bases for these beliefs and alleged practices are instinctual, inherent in human cognition and psychology, and are likely rooted in our evolutionary biology.

List of contents

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Anthropology and Cultural Reality
3. The Supernatural
4. Magic, Inherently Human
5. The Principles of Magic in Mystical/Ritual Contexts
6. Witchcraft (and Sorcery): Inherently Human
7. The Witch is a Composite of Fundamental Fears and Fantasies
8. Dark Shamans and Child-Eating Satanists; Summary Conclusions
Glossary
Index

About the author

Phil Stevens received his BA from Yale in English in 1963, then worked for three years with the Peace Corps in Nigeria. He entered the graduate anthropology program at Northwestern University, returned to Nigeria for dissertation research, and received his PhD in 1973. During 48 years with the anthropology department at SUNY, Buffalo, he conducted further research in Nigeria and the Caribbean, received two awards for teaching and an honorary Nigerian chieftaincy title, and wrote many publications in anthropology and African studies. He is the editor of Routledge’s 4-volume Anthropology of Religion: Critical Concepts in Religious Studies, 2011.

Summary

This book introduces readers to the anthropology of magic, witchcraft, and supernatural belief. It takes a new approach to this area, demonstrating that the bases for these beliefs and alleged practices are instinctual, inherent in human cognition and psychology, and are likely rooted in our evolutionary biology.

Product details

• Authors: Jr. Stevens, Phillips Stevens Jr.
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 12.12.2023
• EAN: 9781032414270
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3241427-0
• No. of pages: 180
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, Witchcraft, RELIGION / Wicca, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Social and cultural anthropology, Magic, alchemy and hermetic thought, Magic, alchemy & hermetic thought, Witchcraft / Witches