Extraordinary Beliefs

A Historical Approach to a Psychological Problem

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Science & Nature, Science
Cover of the book Extraordinary Beliefs by Peter Lamont, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter Lamont ISBN: 9781107301405
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: February 7, 2013
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Peter Lamont
ISBN: 9781107301405
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: February 7, 2013
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

Since the early nineteenth century, mesmerists, mediums and psychics have exhibited extraordinary phenomena. These have been demonstrated, reported and disputed by every modern generation. We continue to wonder why people believe in such things, while others wonder why they are dismissed so easily. Extraordinary Beliefs takes a historical approach to an ongoing psychological problem: why do people believe in extraordinary phenomena? It considers the phenomena that have been associated with mesmerism, spiritualism, psychical research and parapsychology. By drawing upon conjuring theory, frame analysis and discourse analysis, it examines how such phenomena have been made convincing in demonstration and report, and then disputed endlessly. It argues that we cannot understand extraordinary beliefs unless we properly consider the events in which people believe, and what people believe about them. And it shows how, in constructing and maintaining particular beliefs about particular phenomena, we have been in the business of constructing ourselves.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since the early nineteenth century, mesmerists, mediums and psychics have exhibited extraordinary phenomena. These have been demonstrated, reported and disputed by every modern generation. We continue to wonder why people believe in such things, while others wonder why they are dismissed so easily. Extraordinary Beliefs takes a historical approach to an ongoing psychological problem: why do people believe in extraordinary phenomena? It considers the phenomena that have been associated with mesmerism, spiritualism, psychical research and parapsychology. By drawing upon conjuring theory, frame analysis and discourse analysis, it examines how such phenomena have been made convincing in demonstration and report, and then disputed endlessly. It argues that we cannot understand extraordinary beliefs unless we properly consider the events in which people believe, and what people believe about them. And it shows how, in constructing and maintaining particular beliefs about particular phenomena, we have been in the business of constructing ourselves.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book External Intervention and the Politics of State Formation by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Architecture, Astronomy and Sacred Landscape in Ancient Egypt by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Death and Mortality in Contemporary Philosophy by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Patterns of Empire by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book The UN and Human Rights by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Women, Work, and Clothes in the Eighteenth-Century Novel by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Depersonalization by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Words of the World by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Evolutionary Biology by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Entertainment Industry Economics by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Representations of Lie Algebras by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Civil Society and Memory in Postwar Germany by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book The Geology of Australia by Peter Lamont
Cover of the book Practices of Freedom by Peter Lamont
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy