The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity: A Cognitive Anthropological Perspective

by H. Sidky

Overview

In The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity, H. Sidky examines shamanism as an ancient magico-religious, divinatory, medical, and psychotherapeutic tradition found in various parts of the world. Sidky uses first-hand ethnographic fieldwork and scientific theoretical work in archaeology, cognitive and evolutionary psychology, and neurotheology to explore the origins of shamanism, spirit beliefs, the evolution of human consciousness, and the origins of ritual behavior and religiosity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498551892
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/21/2017
Pages:	266
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.44(h) x 0.89(d)

About the Author

H. Sidky is professor of anthropology at Miami University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Shamans and Shamanism: Issues and Problems from an Anthropological Perspectives
Chapter 2:Shamanism and Altered States of Consciousness
Chapter 3: Psychoactive Drugs, Chemical Ecstasy, Shamanism, and the Origins of Religion
Chapter 4: The Prehistory of Shamanism
Chapter 5: Shamanism and Upper Paleolithic Cave Art
Chapter 6: The Origins of Spirit Beliefs and Implications for Shamanism: A Perspective from the Cognitive Sciences
Chapter 7: Evolution of the Modern Mind, Spirit Beliefs, and Shamanism
Chapter 8: Shamanism and Spirit Beliefs among the Neanderthals
Chapter 9: Animism and the Shaman’s Cognized Universe
Chapter 10: The Shaman’s Path: Becoming a Spirit Master and Cosmic Traveler
Chapter 11: Shamanic Performance: Restructuring Reality, Healing the Sick, and Crisis Management
Chapter 12: Spirit Encounter, Shamans, and Anthropologists: Epistemological and Ontological Challenges

Editorial Reviews

The Origins of Shamanism is essential reading for anyone interested in shamans and their contributions to the evolution of human language, art, andconsciousness. The author, Homayun Sidky, has framed his book in cutting edge data from cognitive neuroscience, providing a fresh yet authoritative perspective, one that isboth informative and entertaining. He illustrates this transcultural approach with examples, many of them gleaned from his own extensive fieldwork. If you only have time to read one book about shamans and shamanism, this is the one I would recommend.” –Stanley Krippner, Saybrook University, Co-author of Demystifying Shamans and Their World

Stanley Krippner

A masterful and much needed consideration of shamanism drawing on the latest findings in the cognitive sciences. Outstanding.” —William F. Romain, author of Shamans of the Lost World: A Cognitive Approach to the Prehistoric Religion of the Adena-Hopewell

“H. Sidky is one of our best expositors of shamanism. His use in this new book of insights drawn from the cognitive science of religion—the most important theoretical approach we have for making sense of religion—has produced a significant advancement in our understanding of this immensely interesting expression of religious belief and practice. A compelling work.” —Todd Tremlin, Central Michigan University; author of Minds and Gods: The Cognitive Foundations of Religion

“A lucid, scholarly treatment of shamanism and religion that applies cognitive science, anthropology and the author's fieldwork to major questions, such as when and how shamanism began, whether it reflects certain universal properties of the human mind, and whether it is the earliest kind of religion. Broadly based and plain-spoken, it is a major contribution to religious studies.” —Stewart Guthrie, Fordham University; author of Faces in the Clouds: A New Theory of Religion

“This book is a well researched and clearly written portrayal of the anthropological evidence regarding shamanism. The experienced-centered approach allows insights into the processes by which shamanism originated. Anyone interested in this topic should have this book in their library.” —James McClenon, Elizabeth City State University

“The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity is the most significant comprehensive presentation of shamanism as a worldwide spiritual practice since Mircea Eliade’s classic treatment over half a century ago. It offers a valuable anthropomorphic perspective on the origins of religious consciousness and mankind’s attempt to interact with the numinous dimensions of reality.” —Carl A.P. Ruck, Boston University; author of Sacred Mushrooms: Secrets of Eleusis

“The Origins of Shamanism is essential reading for anyone interested in shamans and their contributions to the evolution of human language, art, and consciousness. The author, Homayun Sidky, has framed his book in cutting edge data from cognitive neuroscience, providing a fresh yet authoritative perspective, one that is both informative and entertaining. He illustrates this transcultural approach with examples, many of them gleaned from his own extensive fieldwork. If you only have time to read one book about shamans and shamanism, this is the one I would recommend.” —Saybrook University, Co-author of Demystifying Shamans and Their World, Stanley Krippner

From the Publisher

A lucid, scholarly treatment of shamanism and religion that applies cognitive science, anthropology and the author's fieldwork to major questions, such as when and how shamanism began, whether it reflects certain universal properties of the human mind, and whether it is the earliest kind of religion. Broadly based and plain-spoken, it is a major contribution to religious studies.

Stewart Guthrie

This book is a well researched and clearly written portrayal of the anthropological evidence regarding shamanism. The experienced-centered approach allows insights into the processes by which shamanism originated. Anyone interested in this topic should have this book in their library.

James McClenon

Homayun Sidky is one of our best expositors of shamanism. His use in this new book of insights drawn from the cognitive science of religion—the most important theoretical approach we have for making sense of religion—has produced a significant advancement in our understanding of this immensely interesting expression of religious belief and practice. A compelling work.

Todd Tremlin

The Origins of Shamanism is essential reading for anyone interested in shamans and their contributions to the evolution of human language, art, and consciousness. The author, Homayun Sidky, has framed his book in cutting edge data from cognitive neuroscience, providing a fresh yet authoritative perspective, one that is both informative and entertaining. He illustrates this transcultural approach with examples, many of them gleaned from his own extensive fieldwork. If you only have time to read one book about shamans and shamanism, this is the one I would recommend.

Saybrook University

This is the most significant comprehensive presentation of shamanism as a worldwide spiritual practice since Mircea Eliade’s classic treatment over half a century ago. It offers a valuable anthropomorphic perspective on the origins of religious consciousness and mankind’s attempt to interact with the numinous dimensions of reality.

Carl A.P. Ruck

A masterful and much needed consideration of shamanism drawing on the latest findings in the cognitive sciences. Outstanding.

William F. Romain