Sympathetic Magic

Definition

Sympathetic magic is a type of magical thinking where it is believed that an object or action can influence another object or action through a supposed natural or supernatural connection. It is based on the principle of similarity or contagion, where the magician manipulates an object or performs an action in the belief that it will affect the target in a corresponding way.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sympathetic magic is a key concept in the anthropological study of religion, as it reflects the human tendency to seek causal connections and explanations for natural phenomena.
2. The principle of similarity in sympathetic magic is exemplified by practices such as voodoo dolls, where harming the doll is believed to harm the person it represents.
3. Contagious magic is exemplified by the belief that a person's hair or nail clippings can be used to control or harm the individual, even after being separated from the body.
4. Cargo cults demonstrate sympathetic magic in their attempts to mimic the behaviors and rituals of colonial powers in order to obtain the same material wealth and technology.
5. Sympathetic magic is often associated with primitive or 'pre-scientific' belief systems, but elements of it can be found in more modern religious and cultural practices as well.

Review Questions

• Explain the underlying principles of sympathetic magic and how they are manifested in various cultural practices.
  • The two key principles of sympathetic magic are the law of similarity, where 'like produces like', and the law of contagion, where things that have been in contact continue to influence each other. These principles are reflected in practices such as voodoo dolls, where harming the doll is believed to harm the person it represents, and the use of personal items like hair or nail clippings to control or harm an individual. Cargo cults also demonstrate sympathetic magic in their attempts to mimic the behaviors and rituals of colonial powers in order to obtain the same material wealth and technology.
• Analyze how the concept of sympathetic magic relates to the anthropological study of religion and the human tendency to seek causal explanations for natural phenomena.
  • Sympathetic magic is a key concept in the anthropological study of religion, as it reflects the human tendency to seek causal connections and explanations for natural phenomena. By manipulating objects or performing actions in the belief that they will influence corresponding targets, practitioners of sympathetic magic are attempting to exert control over the natural world and find meaning in the often unpredictable and unexplainable events that occur. This type of magical thinking is not limited to 'primitive' or 'pre-scientific' belief systems, but can be found in more modern religious and cultural practices as well, highlighting the persistent human desire to understand and influence the world around us.
• Evaluate the role of sympathetic magic in shaping cultural and religious practices across different societies, and discuss the implications of this concept for our understanding of human cognition and behavior.
  • The concept of sympathetic magic has had a profound impact on the development of cultural and religious practices across a wide range of societies. By providing a framework for understanding and attempting to influence the natural world, sympathetic magic has served as a foundation for various rituals, beliefs, and behaviors that have been integral to the human experience. The principles of similarity and contagion underlying sympathetic magic reflect deep-seated cognitive biases and tendencies, such as the desire to find causal explanations, the tendency to perceive patterns and connections, and the impulse to exert control over uncertain environments. Analyzing the role of sympathetic magic in shaping cultural and religious practices can therefore provide valuable insights into the fundamental workings of the human mind and the ways in which we construct meaning and navigate the world around us. Understanding the origins and implications of sympathetic magic can thus contribute to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the human condition.

Related terms

Homeopathic Magic: The belief that 'like cures like', where a substance that produces certain symptoms can be used to cure those same symptoms.

Contagious Magic:

The belief that things which have once been in contact with each other continue to influence each other even when the contact has been severed.

Cargo Cults: Religious movements that emerged in remote parts of Oceania after World War II, where indigenous people attempted to obtain material wealth and cargo through rituals and practices mimicking those of the colonizing cultures.