Talk:Magic (anthropology)

Contemporary definitions of conjuring, magic and illusion

Jeff Sheridan's contribution to conjuring epistemology are worthy of including in the main article. I will return to complete shortly. Aladin 17:43, 12 November 2007 (CST)

I have expanded the article with the inclusion of the relevant quotes from Helen Varola's 'Con Art'.

Around 2003/4 I was filming a documentary for National Geographic TV during which they followed me to my first encounter with Jeff. He and I sat and quite spontaneously and eagerly began talking critical theory as it applied to magic as a performing art. It struck us during that meeting that there was a relative lacuna in terms of ruminative, anthropologically based discourse about conjuring epistemology, methodology and critical theory. We have since talked about collaborating on some text together. Meanwhile in the finished documentary National Geographic showed me sitting down and chatting with Doris Lessing, but not with Jeff Sheridan. At least he and I acquired a friendship at the end. aladin Aladin 06:53, 14 November 2007 (CST)

Pointers for expanding/adding to the article

I would gently suggest that contributions should initially take place on the discussion pages, that these need to be alert to ethnocentricity [there is a world beyond Dover etc!], and that we take an academic if integrative approach to building the knowledge base. Citizendium is NOT a place to build fan pages, create publicity or act with disproportion; it is a true encylopaedia in Larry Sanger's vision and ANY and ALL material making its way onto the article page itself must be editorially cogent and salient - which other than with obvious exceptions needs to be established on the discussion pages.

Many thanks. aladin Aladin 07:00, 14 November 2007 (CST)

Well, I suppose we could do worse than to start with Frazer, Malinowski, and Radcliffe-Brown. Their influence is still pretty strong, but I get the impression that you're looking to take the article in another direction? --Joe Quick 11:50, 14 November 2007 (CST)

Joe - without presuming how the article will in fact 'go' I in fact am of the opinion that it would do very well to take account of the directions you allude to. The very fact that you cite these names intimates your qualification to add 'integrative' content to the page. Please do contribute as your instinct and interests suggest. Will add flair and depth. aladin Aladin 12:36, 14 November 2007 (CST)

Religion

Edgar's excellent additions probably need to appear further up the article. Will make initial edits. Aladin 06:35, 23 June 2008 (CDT)

Another view

"Why Everyone Believes in Magic (Even You)" http://www.livescience.com/19665-belief-magic.html