The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History — Occult Philosophy

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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History

Name: The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History
Price: 34.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781439915257

✍️ Waskul, Dennis

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$34.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Sociologists and folklorists examine how belief in ghosts and the uncanny shapes human history and daily social identity.

Academic research often ignores encounters with ghosts and the uncanny. This volume approaches the supernatural as a real force within human history and social interactions. Edited by sociologists Dennis Waskul and Marc Eaton, the text gathers perspectives from folkloric researchers and sociological scholars. The contributors analyze historical records and first-hand ethnographic experiences to demonstrate how supernatural beliefs flourish across society. Writers such as Emma Smith, Scott Scribner, Stephen L. Muzzatti, Joseph Laycock, and Tea Krulos join Rachael Ironside, William Ryan Force, I'Nasah Crockett, Janet Baldwin, and Jeannie Banks Thomas to document the socio-cultural contexts of uncanny events. The collection demonstrates that ghostly phenomena form an indelible component of human culture.

Key Themes

ghosts and the supernatural ethnographic experiences and history sociological and folkloric research

Literary Context

In twenty-first-century social science, scholars frequently dismiss uncanny occurrences as embarrassing. Published in July 2018, this collection examines how human history and daily identities remain shaped by supernatural beliefs across historical eras. It draws on folkloric research and historical records to evaluate ghostly encounters in contemporary social life.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Sociological analyses of religion · Ethnographic studies of mysticism · Historical investigations into folklore · Interdisciplinary works on cultural identity

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Temple University Press 📅 2018 📖 262 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781439915257

Fun Fact

Waskul's collection brilliantly reorients the academic conversation around the supernatural, moving beyond dismissal to rigorous socio-cultural exploration. It excels at presenting diverse, well-researched perspectives. Those seeking sensational ghost stories or empirical proof will be disappointed. For serious scholars and thoughtful enthusiasts, this is an essential, nuanced contribution to understanding humanity's deep engagement with the uncanny.

📝 Description: The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History

Academic institutions frequently dismiss supernatural claims as inconsequential, but this 262-page paperbound volume treats beliefs in ghosts and the uncanny as significant social reality. Editor Dennis Waskul, who teaches sociology as a Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Minnesota State University, Mankato, brings academic authority to the collection. Waskul previously served as president of the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction and authored Ghostly Encounters: The Hauntings of Everyday Life. Joining him is co-editor Marc Eaton, who serves Ripon College as an Associate Professor of Sociology; together, they gather essays examining how supernatural ideas influence everyday actions and identities across various historical eras. The volume relies on first-hand ethnographic experiences and historical records. Essays integrate research from folkloric scholars and sociological researchers. Readers encounter writing by Joseph Laycock, Jeannie Banks Thomas, Tea Krulos, and Rachael Ironside, alongside chapters from Janet Baldwin, I'Nasah Crockett, William Ryan Force, Stephen L. Muzzatti, Scott Scribner, and Emma Smith. Rather than disproving ghost encounters, these authors examine the socio-cultural contexts that allow supernatural practices to persist and flourish in the twenty-first century. This book suits sociologists and serious students of folklore who require grounded analysis of uncanny phenomena. It does not suit readers looking for spellbooks, operational occult guides, or sensationalized ghost stories. The text remains focused on socio-historical research, analyzing the real impact of belief on human culture.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Waskul’s collection is a formidable intellectual exercise that demands attention from readers willing to engage with dense sociological theory and ethnographic data. It will likely frustrate those seeking simple paranormal anecdotes or quick spiritual fixes, as it prioritizes academic validation over entertainment. The text is rigorous, potentially dry for casual enthusiasts, and firmly rooted in scholarly discourse rather than mystical revelation. However, for those committed to understanding the supernatural as a serious social force, it offers indispensable insights. It does not suit readers looking for lighthearted reading or those who strictly adhere to materialist explanations of reality.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is essential for scholars, practitioners, and curious minds who seek to understand the deep structural role of the supernatural in human existence. It appeals to those tired of dismissive academic narratives that relegate belief to mere error or psychology. By weaving together folklore, sociology, and mysticism, it offers a robust framework for seeing how uncanny experiences actively mold identity and society. Readers who value rigorous ethnographic study alongside historical analysis will find profound validation here. It is not just about ghost stories; it is about how the unseen shapes the seen, providing a vital perspective for anyone interested in the true roots of cultural behavior and collective history.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

For serious students of folklore, sociology, or cultural studies, and anyone fascinated by the unexplained, this book offers a profound re-evaluation. It’s for readers ready to acknowledge the supernatural’s tangible, historical, and daily impact on humanity.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Waskul’s collection is a formidable intellectual exercise that demands attention from readers willing to engage with dense sociological theory and ethnographic data. It will likely frustrate those seeking simple paranormal anecdotes or quick spiritual fixes, as it prioritizes academic validation over entertainment. The text is rigorous, potentially dry for casual enthusiasts, and firmly rooted in scholarly discourse rather than mystical revelation. However, for those committed to understanding the supernatural as a serious social force, it offers indispensable insights. It does not suit readers looking for lighthearted reading or those who strictly adhere to materialist explanations of reality.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, rather than validating literal existence, the contributors explore the 'reality' of belief itself. It examines how conviction in the supernatural, regardless of its empirical truth, profoundly shapes human history, culture, identity, and daily life.

The book features a diverse array of experts, including folklorists who delve into cultural narratives, sociologists analyzing societal impact, and those with intimate knowledge of mystical traditions. Their insights are grounded in ethnographic fieldwork and meticulous historical documentation.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Supernatural as Social Force

This volume asserts that beliefs in the uncanny are far from trivial. It highlights how supernatural narratives and experiences aren't just cultural curiosities but potent forces that have consistently shaped societal structures, moral frameworks, and community bonds throughout history, demanding serious scholarly attention rather than dismissal.

Diverse Perspectives on Uncanny

Rejecting a single lens, the book embraces a rich tapestry of viewpoints. It compiles insights from ethnographers documenting lived experiences, sociologists analyzing historical impact, and those deeply immersed in mystical traditions. This multidisciplinary approach offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of supernatural phenomena across various cultural contexts.

Persistent Influence on Identity

Far from being relics of the past, the supernatural is presented here as a dynamic, ongoing presence. The text illustrates how encounters and beliefs in the uncanny continue to profoundly influence individual perceptions, guide daily choices, and forge personal and collective identities in contemporary society, making it an indelible part of the human experience.

📜 Historical context

This volume aligns with a contemporary academic shift, challenging centuries of Enlightenment rationalism that often dismissed supernatural beliefs as mere superstition. It contributes to a growing movement in anthropology and sociology that legitimizes and analyzes the cultural significance of spiritual experiences, moving beyond debunking to understand their profound societal role.

📚 Glossary

Ethnography
The Uncanny
Mysticism

📔 Questions to reflect on

What supernatural beliefs have shaped your own cultural background or community? How do these influence daily life or worldview?
Consider an instance where a belief in the uncanny, even if personally disbelieved, has impacted a historical event or societal norm.
How might academic disciplines better integrate the study of subjective spiritual or supernatural experiences without resorting to dismissal or reductionism?