Tanya Luhrmann’s, ‘Persuasions of the Witch’s Craft: Ritual Magic in Contemporary England’, offers an in-depth exploration of how individuals in modern, scientifically-oriented societies develop a profound connection with the practices of magic and witchcraft. At the core of our discussion is Luhrmann’s intriguing concept of ‘interpretative drift,’ which describes a gradual yet significant shift in how people perceive and integrate magical beliefs into their rational worldview.

We delve into the intricate process of this shift, examining how factors such as community involvement, ritual participation, and cognitive changes influence the way educated and often sceptical individuals come to embrace magical practices. This exploration is not just a one-sided view; I will also present various counterarguments, providing a comprehensive perspective on the complexities of belief formation within the context of magic and witchcraft.

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REFERENCES

Luhrmann, T.M., 1989. Persuasions of the Witch’s Craft: Ritual Magic in Contemporary England. Harvard University Press.

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James, W., 1902. The Varieties of Religious Experience. Longmans, Green, and Co.

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Stark, R. and Bainbridge, W.S., 1985. The Future of Religion: Secularization, Revival, and Cult Formation. University of California Press. https://amzn.to/3tF9ade

Festinger, L., 1957. A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press. https://amzn.to/3H7LQYI

Wuthnow, R., 1998. After Heaven: Spirituality in America Since the 1950s. University of California Press. https://amzn.to/3NPJ2TI

Wuthnow, R., 1988. The Restructuring of American Religion: Society and Faith Since World War II. Princeton University Press. https://amzn.to/41Kibyi

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00:00 Introduction: Rationalising Magic And Witchcraft

02:09 Tanya Luhrmann and Interpretative Drift

03:20 How can Rational People Embrace Magic and Witchcraft

05:07 Luhrmann’s Argument Explained: Incremental Nature

06:05 Counter-Argument to Incrementalism

07:11 Plausibility Structures

08:23 Counter-Argument to Plausibility Structures

09:58 Cognitive Dissonance & Rationalisation

11:10 Counter-Argument to Cognitive Dissonance & Rationalisation

12:21 Embodied Knowledge and Practice

13:32 Counter-Argument to Embodied Knowledge and Practice

14:33 Community and Belonging

15:38 Counter-Argument to Community and Belonging

17:38 Support Angela’s Symposium

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Published on February 11, 2024