-30%

Extraordinary Beliefs — Occult Philosophy

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🕯️ Occult Philosophy −30%

Extraordinary Beliefs

Name: Extraordinary Beliefs
Price: 100.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781107019331

✍️ Lamont, Peter

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$100.00 ~~$143.00~~ Save $43.00 (30%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An academic study of the psychology behind belief in mesmerism and psychic phenomena.

Lamont provides a cognitive psychological perspective on why people believe in the extraordinary. The book analyzes reports from mesmerists, mediums, and psychics starting in the early nineteenth century. It explores how these traditions persist despite being disputed by every modern generation. The text focuses on the mental processes that allow individuals to accept supernatural explanations. It does not offer historical narratives of specific events but rather examines the underlying psychological patterns. The work bridges the gap between cognitive science and the study of mysticism. It explains the enduring appeal of occult claims through a lens of human cognition.

Key Themes

Cognitive psychology Mystical traditions Psychic phenomena

Literary Context

The book sits at the intersection of psychology and mysticism, examining beliefs that have persisted since the early nineteenth century. It addresses how modern generations continue to dispute and wonder about these claims. The work reflects a scholarly approach to understanding the enduring human fascination with the supernatural.

Lamont, Peter

📚 all books by this author (2) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Carl Jung · Arthur Conan Doyle's investigative essays · Miranda Seymour's biographies of occultists · Historical studies on spiritualism

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Cambridge University Press 📅 2013 📖 336 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781107019331

Fun Fact

Peter Lamont's "Extraordinary Beliefs" offers a compelling, academically rigorous yet accessible exploration into the enduring human capacity for conviction in the face of the inexplicable. It excels at dissecting the cognitive and historical roots of belief, providing a rich tapestry of examples from spiritualism to psychic claims. While it might disappoint those seeking validation for specific supernatural phenomena, it will deeply satisfy readers curious about the *why* behind such widespread faith. This is an essential read for anyone interested in the psychology of belief within the occult tradition.

📝 Description: Extraordinary Beliefs

Peter Lamont examines the persistence of belief in phenomena reported by mesmerists, mediums, and psychics since the early nineteenth century. The text investigates why individuals continue to accept such extraordinary claims despite ongoing disputes across modern generations. It addresses the psychological mechanisms behind these convictions without dismissing the historical reality of the reports themselves. The work draws on cognitive psychology to analyze how the human mind processes mystical experiences. Lamont considers the intersection of mind, body, and spirit traditions that have fueled interest in the occult for centuries. The book is organized to explore the specific conditions under which people accept supernatural explanations for observable events. It does not focus on debunking techniques but rather on understanding the cognitive architecture that supports belief. This title suits readers interested in the academic study of mysticism and the psychology of belief. It is appropriate for those seeking a scholarly analysis of why extraordinary phenomena remain compelling to audiences over time. The book is less suitable for practitioners looking for instructional guides on witchcraft or astrology. It offers no practical rituals, only an examination of the mental frameworks that make such practices meaningful to their adherents.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Lamont provides a rigorous, academic deconstruction of belief systems surrounding the paranormal from the nineteenth century to the present. The text is dense and analytical, prioritizing cognitive and cultural explanation over sensationalism. It does not suit readers seeking validation for their own psychic experiences or those looking for lighthearted anecdotes about mediums and séances. Skeptics who prefer dismissive rhetoric may find the sympathetic, explanatory approach frustrating, as the author avoids mere debunking in favor of understanding the mechanics of conviction. This is a serious study for those willing to engage with complex historical and psychological arguments regarding the persistence of extraordinary beliefs.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with a scholarly interest in the intersection of psychology, history, and the occult will find immense value here. Lamont offers a nuanced lens for understanding why intelligent people embrace the inexplicable, moving beyond simple dismissal to explore deep cognitive roots. It is ideal for those fascinated by the cultural underpinnings of mesmerism, psychic claims, and mediumship. The book provides essential context for modern spiritual trends by tracing their lineage back through generations. By illuminating how these beliefs are constructed, it helps readers appreciate the enduring human fascination with the extraordinary, offering clarity on a topic often clouded by bias.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're intrigued by the psychological underpinnings of belief, the history of mystical claims, or the cognitive processes that shape our understanding of reality, this book offers a compelling exploration into why extraordinary convictions endure.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Lamont provides a rigorous, academic deconstruction of belief systems surrounding the paranormal from the nineteenth century to the present. The text is dense and analytical, prioritizing cognitive and cultural explanation over sensationalism. It does not suit readers seeking validation for their own psychic experiences or those looking for lighthearted anecdotes about mediums and séances. Skeptics who prefer dismissive rhetoric may find the sympathetic, explanatory approach frustrating, as the author avoids mere debunking in favor of understanding the mechanics of conviction. This is a serious study for those willing to engage with complex historical and psychological arguments regarding the persistence of extraordinary beliefs.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this work primarily explores the *psychology* and *history* of belief in extraordinary phenomena, rather than confirming or refuting the phenomena themselves. It investigates *why* people believe.

The book delves into a range of historical examples, including the practices of mesmerists, the performances of mediums, and the claims of various psychics throughout the modern era.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Persistence of Belief

This book examines how certain extraordinary claims, despite repeated debunking or scientific scrutiny, continue to capture the human imagination and find new adherents across different eras, highlighting the underlying psychological mechanisms at play.

Historical Paranormal Phenomena

Journey through the fascinating history of occult and spiritualist manifestations, from the magnetic healing of mesmerists to the communicative feats of mediums and the supposed powers of psychics, tracing their evolution and societal impact.

Cognitive Roots of Conviction

Lamont meticulously explores the mental processes and biases that contribute to the formation and maintenance of belief in the supernatural. It investigates how perception, memory, and social influence shape our understanding of reality and the extraordinary.

📜 Historical context

The book situates its inquiry within a rich historical tradition, tracing the lineage of extraordinary beliefs from the early 19th century. It connects the mesmerists' magnetic healing, the spirit communications of mediums, and the later rise of psychics, demonstrating how these phenomena have consistently challenged and fascinated each successive generation.

📚 Glossary

Mesmerism
Mediumship
Cognitive Bias

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a personal belief you hold that might be considered "extraordinary" by others. What are its origins, and what sustains it?
How might cognitive biases influence your own interpretation of events or information presented as supernatural?
Consider a historical figure known for extraordinary abilities (e.g., a medium or mystic). How might their era's scientific and cultural understanding have shaped their experiences and public perception?