Shamanism and the Eighteenth Century
Anthropology of Consciousness December 1, 1993 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1525/ac.1993.4.4.20
Summary
Shamanism was a subject of fascination for Enlightenment thinkers, who debated its origins and meaning. This work examines how eighteenth-century European scholars, writers, and artists encountered and represented shamanic practices, often using them to critique established religion and explore alternative forms of knowledge. The author argues that these representations shaped modern conceptions of primitivism, the exotic, and the irrational.
Study at a glance
| Design | historical analysis |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Eighteenth-century European intellectuals used shamanism as a tool to critique established religion and explore alternative forms of knowledge. |
Abstract
Shamanism and the Eighteenth Century. Gloria Flaherty. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1992. 320 pp. $35.00 (cloth).