Why People believe in spirits, Gods and Magic: 
An Introduction to the anthropology of the supernatural

This short e-book is a beginner's introduction to key themes in the anthropology of the supernatural. It aims to situate paranormal experiences and supernatural beliefs within a much broader framework through taking a cross-cultural approach. It is hoped that this approach will not only give the reader a greater appreciation of the variety of supernatural beliefs and paranormal experiences prevalent in the world’s cultures, but also that it will allow for a more in-depth, and so better informed, appreciation of similar issues within Euro-American culture. Through taking a cross-cultural approach and comparing different traditions of experience and belief we can move towards a greater understanding of what is really going on in these experiences. It is the author's hope that the book inspires readers to explore this fascinating field in greater depth...
"This e-book attempts to explore the question of why and how people come to believe in spirits, gods and magic from a social anthropological perspective. Covering topics such as Shamanism & Spirit Possession, Witchcraft & Magic, Ghosts, Spirits, Gods & Demons, Ethnography & the Paranormal and Anthropology & Parapsychology, this e-book provides an overview of supernatural traditions and practices around the world. The author also explores anthropological interpretations of supernatural and spiritual experiences, including the paranormal experiences of anthropologists themselves, while engaged in fieldwork."

Featuring a Foreword by Dr. Fiona Bowie and an Afterword by Dr. David Luke.

"Jack Hunter presents a thorough and well-integrated overview of social and behavioral scientific theories of the supernatural, and illuminates the significance of methodologies for studying such phenomena. Legitimating the "possibilian" study of the "paranormal" continues the anthropological project of escaping from the ethnocentrism of discounting nondominant views and experiences." 

- Prof. Charles F. Emmons (author of Chinese Ghosts and ESP, Guided by Spirit, and Science and Spirit).

Click here for a free preview
Contributing authors retain full ownership and all rights to their individual essays.

All rights reserved.No part of this journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photcopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author(s) except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.