The Origins of Shamanism, Spirit Beliefs, and Religiosity
January 1, 2017 DOI: 10.5771/9781498551908 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Shamanism is an ancient magico-religious, divinatory, medical, and psychotherapeutic tradition found worldwide. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and scientific theories from archaeology, cognitive and evolutionary psychology, and neurotheology, this work explores the origins of shamanism, spirit beliefs, the evolution of human consciousness, and the beginnings of ritual behavior and religiosity.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Shamanism is a widespread ancient tradition whose origins can be understood through ethnographic and scientific perspectives. |
Abstract
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.