Magic in the Modern World - Strategies of Repression and Legitimization (Hardcover)

This collection of essays considers the place of magic in the modern world, first by exploring the ways in which modernity has been defined in explicit opposition to magic and superstition, and then by illuminating how modern proponents of magic have worked to legitimize their practices through an overt embrace of evolving forms such as esotericism and supernaturalism. Taking a two-track approach, this book explores the complex dynamics of the construction of the modern self and its relation to the modern preoccupation with magic. Essays examine how modern “rational” consciousness is generated and maintained and how proponents of both magical and scientific traditions rationalize evidence to fit accepted orthodoxy. This book also describes how people unsatisfied with the norms of modern subjectivity embrace various forms of magic—and the methods these modern practitioners use to legitimate magic in the modern world. A compelling assessment of magic from the early modern period to today, Magic in the Modern World shows how, despite the dominant culture’s emphatic denial of their validity, older forms of magic persist and develop while new forms of magic continue to emerge. In addition to the editors, contributors include Egil Asprem, Erik Davis, Megan Goodwin, Dan Harms, Adam Jortner, and Benedek Láng.

General

Imprint:	Pennsylvania State University Press
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	Magic in History
Release date:	April 2017
Editors:	Edward Bever (Director of Professional Studies) • Randall Styers (Associate Professor of Religion and Culture)
Dimensions:	235 x 156 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	216
ISBN-13:	978-0-271-07777-2
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > History of religion Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Occult studies > Magic, alchemy & hermetic thought Books > History > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > Occult studies > Magic, alchemy & hermetic thought Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > History of religion
LSN:	0-271-07777-8
Barcode:	9780271077772

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!