Anth 206: Anthropology of the Supernatural - In-Depth Notes

Content Coverage: Everything in the course is fair game, with emphasis on slides.
Exceptions: Not including sections on Hermeneutics and Semiotics.
Prioritized Readings: Focus on discussions held in class and mentioned slides, comprehensive understanding of all readings is recommended.
Question Types:
- Nuanced understanding of material, conceptual items, and application of concepts.
- Some memory-based questions regarding key thinkers, magic principles, and magical systems.

Participatory Consciousness
- Proposed as a form of human thought alongside rationality.
- Emphasizes interconnected worldview and spiritual experiences.
- Key Thinkers:
  - E.E. Evans-Pritchard
  - Stanley Tambiah
  - Lucien Lévy-Bruhl
  - E.B. Tylor
  - Max Weber
E.B. Tylor’s Unilinear Cultural Evolution
- Development of human societies in progressive phases: Primitive, Barbarian, Civilised.
- Influenced by Charles Darwin's theory; implications discussed.
- Test question: Relation of Tylor’s theory to Darwinism.
Witchcraft Trials Dynamics
- Conspiracy linking magic to Paganism.
- Church persecution of witches during Middle Ages for Pagan associations.
- Ordinary individuals involved in folk magic were also accused.
Magical Principles in Rituals
- Using photographs of loved ones during rituals illustrates sympathy or representation in magic.
- Concepts to know:
  - Homeopathy
  - Synchronicity
  - Animism or Personification
  - Sympathy
  - Commonality Controls
Schools of Yoga
- Identification of Hatha Yoga as the form influencing postural practices in the West.
- Other schools: Raja, Bhakti, Jnana, Karma Yoga.

Origins: Introduced in Erich von Däniken's 1968 book, proposing extraterrestrial contact with ancient civilizations.
Claims: Aliens as contributors to technology and modern human evolution.
Evidence: Misinterpretations of myth and art, religious narratives, and monument construction.
Critical Analysis: Issues with literal interpretations, misinterpretations, ethnocentric assumptions, and fallacies surrounding ancient alien theories.

Emergence due to belief in aliens as deities (e.g., Scientology, Raëlism, Heaven's Gate).
Concept of humans as descendants heightens exceptionalism, supports exploitation.

Resurgence of diabolical witchcraft legends in the 1980s leading to moral panic.
Satanic Conspiracy Theory: Unsubstantiated claims against elite members and rituals of abuse.
Case Studies:
- McMartin Preschool Trials: Extensive investigation with no corroborating evidence.
- Pizzagate Allegations: False claims of child trafficking linked to political figures.
Q-Anon Movement: New conspiratorial claims tied to political narratives and violent acts.

Continued witch hunts causing significant casualties globally, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Societal causes include social inequalities, the spread of pandemics, and political opportunism.

Governments in Scotland, Switzerland, Norway, and Catalonia acknowledge past injustices against accused witches.
Recognition of misogyny at the core of witch persecutions.

Ongoing exploration of magical practices intersecting with scientific approaches.
Potential for metaphorical language in understanding advancements in sciences like physics and cognitive science.
Invitation for engagement and future communications on this research.