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The symbolic action theory understands magic as a course of action taken when there exists an emotional (psychological) need for action, but no practical option exists. In R.R. Marett ’s example, it is a magical action when a man, betrayed by his mistress, gathers photographs of her and burns them. [ 4 ]
Another theory of magical thinking is the symbolic approach. Leading thinkers of this category, including Stanley J. Tambiah , believe that magic is meant to be expressive, rather than instrumental. As opposed to the direct, mimetic thinking of Frazer, Tambiah asserts that magic utilizes abstract analogies to express a desired state, along the ...
Psychologists refer to this as the “peak-end rule”: People tend to prioritize remembering the peaks (i.e., the most exciting bits) and endings of events and experiences, and not so much what ...
Mauss set forth his conception of magic in a 1902 essay, "A General Theory of Magic". [270] Mauss used the term magic in reference to "any rite that is not part of an organized cult: a rite that is private, secret, mysterious, and ultimately tending towards one that is forbidden". [268] Conversely, he associated religion with organised cult. [271]
Sympathetic magic has been considered in relation to Paleolithic cave paintings such as those in North Africa and at Lascaux in France. The theory, which is partially based on studies of more modern hunter-gatherer societies, is that the paintings were made by magic practitioners who could potentially be described as shamans.
Magic is an attempt to understand, experience and influence the world using rituals, symbols, actions, gestures and language. Modern theories of magic may see it as the result of a universal sympathy where some act can produce a result somewhere else, or as a collaboration with spirits who cause the effect.
Mauss set forth his conception of magic in a 1902 essay, "A General Theory of Magic". [206] Mauss used the term magic in reference to "any rite that is not part of an organized cult: a rite that is private, secret, mysterious, and ultimately tending towards one that is forbidden". [204] Conversely, he associated religion with organised cult. [207]
Pierre A. Riffard: "Theurgy is a type of magic. It consists of a set of magical practices performed to evoke beneficent spirits in order to see them or know them or in order to influence them, for instance by forcing them to animate a statue, to inhabit a human being (such as a medium), or to disclose mysteries.