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Machinic Unconscious Happy Hour

Marcel Mauss's A General Theory of Magic

Oct 19, 2024
Dive into the fascinating world of Marcel Mauss's theories, where magic intertwines with contemporary thought and collective beliefs. The discussion reveals how magic connects with religion and technology, exploring their historical interactions. Delve into the 'magical black person' trope and its ties to societal constructs, alongside philosophical insights on sacrifice and identity. Plus, discover the alchemical relationship between magic, technology, and myth, as well as the evolution of totemic traditions in storytelling. It's a captivating exploration of the magical underpinnings of our culture!
01:38:40

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Magic is intricately linked to collective representations, highlighting how cultures understand phenomena beyond empirical reasoning and emphasizing its psychological connections to both ancient and modern societies.
  • Marcel Mauss's contributions to sociology, particularly through 'The Gift', reveal that rituals and magical beliefs are essential to the evolution of social processes, intertwining individual and collective actions in shaping cultural identities.

Deep dives

The Relationship Between Magic and Collective Representations

The concept of magic is deeply intertwined with collective representations, reflecting a significant aspect of how cultures understand phenomena beyond mere empirical reasoning. It is suggested that notions of luck and quintessence have roots in magical thinking, indicating that both ancient and modern societies share a psychological connection to these ideas. Furthermore, the episode asserts that many aspects of scientific thought are not devoid of these magical origins, as human cognition has historically grappled with the mystical alongside developing rational frameworks. This connection reveals that even as societies evolve, the legacy of magical thinking persists in contemporary understandings of force and causation.

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