First published 1982
O'Keefe examines magic as a force that shaped human consciousness and continues to influence modern life. He draws from philosophy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and history to build a comprehensive theory of magical thinking. The book shows how magic once dominated human understanding and helped form individual identity, yet also created cycles where humanity rebels against structures only to create new forms of alienation. O'Keefe argues that magical thinking persists even in our scientific age, appearing in contemporary escapist cults and mechanical transformation rituals. He demonstrates that magic's influence extends far beyond these obvious examples into everyday institutions. The author contends that understanding magic remains necessary for grasping the full human experience, warning that without this knowledge we risk falling back into dangerous patterns that once aided our advancement but now threaten our clear vision of reality.
Genres: history, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, interdisciplinary
581 pages · Hardcover · Continuum