Are Witchcraft Beliefs Irrational?

        The practise of witchery is of great interest to anthropologists, because it is a purpose that pervades many societies. The most influential study is Evans Pritchards Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande and eer since this work was published, anthropologists pay 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 seek 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 esteem of the culture under study, and its significance to the society as a whole. In considering the rationalness of witchcraft beliefs I will showtime exercise attempt to define and distinctiate between different types of systems, whence attempt to account for their existence and explain how they melodic phrase part of their cultures of origin, before finally questioning whether the concept of rationality should be applied in their analysis.         In decree to discourse witchcraft, it is alpha to distinguish between a range of sympathetic 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 visualize its carriage through an autopsy.

A witch exercises his power through psychical means, requiring no physical too ls, and this may even be exercised involunta! rily. Sorcery, on the other hand, requires medicines and spells, and may be learnt by anyone who is inclined. However, although this characteristic is relevant to the Azande of the Sudan its relevance to other African societies is disputed, and in modern side of meat usage the terms are frequently used interchangeably. Hendry (1999) cites Middleton (1963), who suggested the term wizardry to cover all incomprehensible activities and Lewis... If you want to get out a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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