Stolen Lightning: The Social Theory of Magic is a groundbreaking book written by Daniel Lawrence O'Keefe in 1982. This book analyzes magic from a sociological perspective, challenging traditional understandings and presenting a new framework for studying magic in human societies. O'Keefe argues that magic, rather than being an irrational or fraudulent practice, is a social phenomenon deeply embedded in human culture. He argues that societies create and maintain magical beliefs and practices as a way to cope with uncertainty and maintain a sense of control over their environment. Magic, therefore, serves important social functions, acting as a form of social glue and providing individuals with a sense of identity and agency. According to O'Keefe, magical beliefs and practices arise in situations characterized by ambiguity, unpredictability, and power imbalances.
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # NewCamp0394716345
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. Damaged Parcel If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.
According to O'Keefe, magical beliefs and practices arise in situations characterized by ambiguity, unpredictability, and power imbalances. Human societies often resort to magic in these situations to restore a sense of order and balance. For example, magic rituals are often performed to increase a society's chances of success in hunting, farming, or warfare.
Stolen Lightning: The Social Theory of Magic
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to [email protected].
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Individuals also use magic to manage personal crises, such as illness or loss, by seeking supernatural interventions to restore health or fortune. Stolen Lightning also examines the role of magic in shaping social norms and hierarchies. O'Keefe argues that magic often reinforces existing power structures by legitimizing the authority of specific individuals or groups who are believed to possess supernatural abilities. This can be seen in the case of shamans, priests, or healers who are regarded as mediators between the human and spirit realms. Moreover, the book explores how magical beliefs and practices are transmitted and sustained within societies. O'Keefe emphasizes that magic is a social construction that is learned, performed, and shared among individuals. It is passed down through generations, adapted to changing circumstances, and integrated into the broader cultural fabric. Stolen Lightning challenges conventional views of magic as mere superstition or deception. Instead, O'Keefe presents a compelling argument for understanding magic as a social phenomenon deeply intertwined with human societies. This book provides valuable insights into the role of magic in shaping social dynamics and offers a new framework for studying magic as a legitimate and meaningful aspect of human culture..
Reviews for "Magic and the Construction of Social Norms: Lessons from Stolen Lightning"
1. Review: Sarah - 2/5
I found "Stolen Lightning: The Social Theory of Magic" to be an extremely tedious read. The author's writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to grasp the main arguments being presented. Additionally, I felt that the book lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the social theory of magic. It seemed to rely heavily on anecdotal evidence and personal anecdotes rather than empirical research. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Review: John - 2/5
As someone with a keen interest in the social theory of magic, I was excited to read "Stolen Lightning." However, I was thoroughly disappointed with the content and structure of the book. The author seemed to jump from one idea to another without providing a clear framework or analysis. The lack of clarity made it difficult to understand the main arguments and left me feeling confused. Additionally, the reliance on obscure and outdated references made the book feel outdated and irrelevant. I would not recommend "Stolen Lightning" to anyone looking for a comprehensive exploration of the social theory of magic.
3. Review: Emma - 1/5
I found "Stolen Lightning: The Social Theory of Magic" to be a complete waste of time. The author's writing style was overly academic and inaccessible, making it difficult to engage with the material. Furthermore, the book lacked coherence and failed to present a clear and concise argument. There was no logical progression or structure, which made it feel like a random collection of ideas rather than a cohesive piece of work. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in studying the social theory of magic, as there are far better resources available.