The Origin of Man and of His Superstitions

The Origin of Man and of His Superstitions

Carveth Read

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This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Chapter 1 No.1

Magic 108

§ 1. Antiquity of Magic 108-9

§ 2. What is Magic?-Magic defined; imaginary impersonal force contrasted with power of spirits; its action uniform like laws of nature. Kinds of Magic 109-12

§ 3. The Beginnings of Magic.-A matter of speculation. The earliest were probably the simplest, and the kinds that have prevailed most widely by tradition and hereditary predisposition. The chief source of belief in Magic is the mistaking of coincidence for causation 112-19

§ 4. Magical Force and Primitive Ideas of Causation.-Idea of magical force derived from physical force (empathy, Animatism, invisible action at a distance, mana). How Animism and Magic corrupt the ideas of causation 119-24

§ 5. Magic and Mystery 124-6

§ 6. Volitional Magic.-A relatively late idea 126-8

§ 7. The Evolution of Magic-Direct Magic.-Growth and differentiation; four stages; spells and charms; taboo 128-34

§ 8. Indirect or "Sympathetic" Magic.-Principles of Sympathetic Magic-mimesis and participation; connection with Animism. Exemplary Magic 134-42

§ 9. The Dissolution of Magic 143-4

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