Are Witchcraft Beliefs Irrational?

        The practise of witchcraft is of great interest to anthropologists, because it is a cunning that pervades many societies. The most influential study is Evans Pritchards Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande and forever since this work was published, anthropologists fox debated about definitions of witchcraft, reasons why it exists in so many societies, and whether it should be regarded as rational or irrational. Historians a lot concentrated on the absurdity of witchcraft and essay to break a air division how these irrational beliefs could have persisted for so long in the West. However, anthropologists atomic number 18 interested in understanding witchcraft in the consideration of the culture under study, and its significance to the society as a whole. In considering the rationality of witchcraft beliefs I will graduation exercise exercise attempt to define and assortediate between different types of systems, whence attempt to account fo r their existence and explain how they trope part of their cultures of origin, before finally questioning whether the concept of rationality should be applied in their analysis.         In grade to discourse witchcraft, it is alpha to distinguish between a range of standardized and intimately confusable borders. Since Evans-Pritchard, anthropologists have tended to distinguish between witchcraft and sorcery. The author is hereditary, innate, involuntary trait, and it may be possible to scupper its carriage by means of an autopsy.

A witch exercises his power through psychical means, requiring n o physical tools, and this may even be exerc! ised involuntarily. Sorcery, on the other hand, requires medicines and spells, and may be learnt by anyone who is inclined. However, although this government note is relevant to the Azande of the Sudan its relevance to other African societies is disputed, and in sophisticated side of meat usage the terms are ofttimes used interchangeably. Hendry (1999) cites Middleton (1963), who suggested the term wizardry to cover all secret activities and Lewis... If you want to get out a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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