Wings of illusion : the origin, nature and future of paranormal belief

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Wings of illusion : the origin, nature and future of paranormal belief

John F. Schumaker

Polity, 1990

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Note

Bibliography: p. [165]-177

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Why is belief in the paranormal still one of the few universal elements of human culture? What are the psychological origins of such beliefs? Do they have implications for the future of humankind? Using a new conception of the "paranormal", the author discusses a range of psychological issues which had previously appeared to be unconnected with the paranormal, such as suggestibility, and various kinds of "mental disorder" like paranoia and anorexia nervosa. Schumaker's final analysis that paranormal beliefs are associated with intolerance, destructiveness and cruelty gives rise to serious questions about the compatibility of such beliefs and the future of humanity.

Table of Contents

  • In search of ourselves
  • the birth of the paranormal
  • suggestibility and waking hypnosis
  • culture - the master hypnotist
  • paranormal belief - our cruel saviour
  • the clumsy lie
  • the unthinkable edge.

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