A General Theory of Magic

E684994

A General Theory of Magic is a foundational anthropological work by Marcel Mauss that analyzes the social and cultural functions of magical beliefs and practices.

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Label Occurrences
A General Theory of Magic canonical 1

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf anthropological work
book
academicDiscipline social sciences
analyzes cultural functions of magical practices
social functions of magical beliefs
author Marcel Mauss NERFINISHED
contribution helped establish the anthropological study of magic
countryOfOrigin France
describes beliefs underlying magical practices
rules and classifications of magical rites
examines collective representations of magic
magicians as social actors
relationship between magic and law
relationship between magic and morality
field anthropology
sociology
genre non-fiction
social anthropology literature
hasPerspective comparative
historical
sociological
influenced later anthropological theories of religion
structuralist anthropology
the study of ritual
influencedBy Émile Durkheim NERFINISHED
languageOfAvailableTranslation English
mainSubject belief systems
magic
religion
ritual
notableIdea distinction between magic and religion
magic as a social institution
originalLanguage French
originalTitle Une théorie générale de la magie NERFINISHED
publicationDate early 20th century
relatedConcept collective representations
relatedWork The Gift NERFINISHED
status classic of social theory
foundational text in anthropology of religion
targetAudience anthropologists
scholars of religion
sociologists
theoreticalApproach Durkheimian sociology NERFINISHED
topic collective belief
social cohesion
symbolic systems
typeOfWork theoretical treatise

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Input
Subject: A General Theory of Magic
Description of subject: A General Theory of Magic is a foundational anthropological work by Marcel Mauss that analyzes the social and cultural functions of magical beliefs and practices.

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Marcel Mauss notableWork A General Theory of Magic