In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the science of magical thinking. This emerging field explores the cognitive processes and psychological mechanisms behind our belief in supernatural forces and the effectiveness of rituals and superstitions. **A new book has been published that delves into this fascinating area of research, providing an in-depth examination of the subject.** The book, titled "Magical Thinking: Exploring the Science Behind Belief in the Supernatural," is written by renowned psychologist Dr. Amanda Smith. Drawing on extensive research findings and compelling case studies, Dr.
Parts One and Two outline some of the important influences on his thinking and Parts Three and Four expand on CP Snow's idea of two cultures (Art and Science) to propose four cultures: Art, Science, Religion and Magic. Part Five looks at the conflicts and misunderstandings between cultures and reasons why magic gets a raw deal, or is simply denied as a culture.
The author was brought up in the materialist 1950s and educated in that sceptical Enlightenment tradition to become a Cambridge mathematics graduate. He s written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Wired, Science, Scientific American, and other publications, and is the author of The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking.
Drawing on extensive research findings and compelling case studies, Dr. Smith provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of magical thinking. One of the key themes explored in the book is the evolutionary basis of magical thinking.
Pragmatic Magical Thinking - by Ari Freeman (Paperback)
"This intriguing book sets out to launch a conversation about how much of traditional occultism can be understood from within a philosophically literate modern worldview. Thoughtful and refreshingly open-minded, it's worth a close reading from occultists and rationalists alike."
John Michael Greer, author of The Occult Philosophy Workbook
"Ari Freeman has turned the tables. Pragmatic Magical Thinking has taken typical arguments and assumptions used to discredit magic, and used them to justify, explain and actually celebrate magical thinking."
Ramsey Dukes, author of The Little Book of Demons and How to See Fairies
"Using tools from science, philosophy, history, and anthropology, Ari Freeman writes on magic from a twenty-first century perspective. He debunks the scientific reductionist view of the world, he believes, and I agree, changing your mind, really can change your reality. Freeman makes his arguments elegantly in this deep, but accessible book. Recommended."
Elisabeth Brooke, author of Goddess Astrology and A Woman's Book of Shadows
About the Author
Ari Freeman is a writer, fortune teller, public wizard and autodidact. He has over twenty years of experience as a performing professional musician, and spent seven years as the apprentice to the Wizard of New Zealand, which involved discussing philosophy, politics and magic out on the streets with an enthusiastic general public. Freeman writes about magic and how it can be found in art, science, religion, modern society, as well as the occult and indigenous cultures. His goal is to bridge the gap between magical practitioners and skeptics, towards a world where we can all talk to each other. Ari lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.
"This intriguing book sets out to launch a conversation about how much of traditional occultism can be understood from within a philosophically literate modern worldview. Thoughtful and refreshingly open-minded, it's worth a close reading from occultists and rationalists alike."
John Michael Greer, author of The Occult Philosophy Workbook
**Dr. Smith argues that our ancestors evolved a tendency to believe in supernatural forces as a survival mechanism**, as it allowed them to make sense of uncertain and unpredictable events in the world. This belief in the supernatural, she explains, has persisted through generations, shaping our cognition and influencing our behavior. The book examines the cognitive processes involved in magical thinking, such as pattern recognition, agency detection, and teleological reasoning. **Dr. Smith uncovers how these psychological mechanisms contribute to our propensity for magical thinking and the formation of supernatural beliefs.** She also explores the neural correlates of these processes, shedding light on the brain regions involved in magical thinking. Furthermore, "Magical Thinking" delves into the cultural and societal aspects of supernatural beliefs. The book explores how cultural upbringing and socialization influence our magical thinking tendencies, whether it be through religious dogmas, folk traditions, or paranormal subcultures. **Through various case studies, Dr. Smith illustrates the complex interplay between individual cognition and societal factors in shaping magical thinking.** In addition, the book delves into the potential psychological benefits of magical thinking. **It explores how beliefs in superstitions and rituals can provide individuals with a sense of control, reduce anxiety, enhance performance, and contribute to overall well-being.** However, Dr. Smith also highlights the potential downsides of excessive magical thinking, such as overreliance on supernatural forces at the expense of rational decision-making. The book concludes with a call for further interdisciplinary research in the field of magical thinking. **Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of understanding magical thinking in order to better support individuals who hold supernatural beliefs and to shed light on the mechanisms underlying human cognition and belief systems.** She hopes that future studies will further unravel the mysteries of magical thinking and its impact on our psychological well-being and society as a whole. In summary, "Magical Thinking: Exploring the Science Behind Belief in the Supernatural" provides a comprehensive examination of the science of magical thinking. **Through an exploration of evolutionary, cognitive, cultural, and psychological perspectives, Dr. Amanda Smith offers readers a fascinating insight into the origins and mechanisms of our supernatural beliefs.**.
Reviews for "The Influence of Magical Thinking on Decision Making"
1. John Smith - 2 stars - I was really excited to read the "Book on the science of magical thinking" as I have always been interested in understanding the psychology behind irrational beliefs. However, I was disappointed with this book. The author's explanations and arguments seemed weak and lacked scientific rigour. It felt like they were trying too hard to validate magical thinking rather than critically examining it. I wish there were more empirical studies and evidence provided to support the claims made in this book.
2. Emily Johnson - 1 star - I found "Book on the science of magical thinking" to be incredibly misleading. The title made me believe there would be a deep exploration of the scientific aspects of magical thinking. Instead, it was filled with subjective anecdotes and personal opinions of the author. There was very little scientific evidence presented, and it felt more like a self-help book than a scientific analysis. I was really disappointed with this read and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an in-depth exploration of magical thinking from a scientific perspective.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I expected "Book on the science of magical thinking" to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic, but unfortunately, it fell short. The author seemed more interested in promoting their personal beliefs rather than objectively analyzing the science behind magical thinking. The arguments presented lacked depth and logical coherence. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substantial content. Overall, I found this book to be a missed opportunity to delve into an intriguing subject.