Extraordinary Beliefs

A landmark study of strange phenomena and the psychology of magic by a former stage magician and leading expert in parapsychology.

Extraordinary Beliefs

A Historical Approach to a Psychological Problem

Peter Lamont

An Original Paperback / ISBN: 978-1-107-68802-5 / 321pp / £18.99

Published: April 11th, 2013

'Lamont offers a thought-provoking and sophisticated examination of the way that debates about claims to paranormal abilities rely on their historical context as much as scientific evidence' – Robin Wooffitt, University of York

'Outstanding clarity, penetrating argument and a series of fascinating examples make this an accessible and profoundly insightful read' – Barry Barnes, University of Exeter

Since the early nineteenth century, mesmerists, mediums and psychics have exhibited extraordinary phenomena. These have been demonstrated, reported and disputed by every modern generation. We continue to wonder why people believe in such things, while others wonder why they are dismissed so easily.

Written by a former professional magician and expert in strange phenomena, Extraordinary Beliefs, takes a historical approach to an ongoing psychological problem: why do people believe in extraordinary phenomena? It considers the phenomena that have been associated with mesmerism, spiritualism, psychical research and parapsychology. By drawing upon conjuring theory and discourse analysis, it examines how such phenomena have been made convincing in demonstration and report, and then disputed endlessly. It argues that we cannot understand extraordinary beliefs unless we properly consider the events in which people believe, and what people believe about them. And it shows how, in constructing and maintaining particular beliefs about particular phenomena, we have been in the business of constructing ourselves.

About the Author

PETER LAMONT is a longstanding member of the Koestler Parapsychology Unit, a former professional magician, an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle and Past President of the Edinburgh Magic Circle. He has published extensively on the history and psychology of magic and the paranormal. Peter is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and Programme Director of the MSc in History and Theory of Psychology, and Honorary Secretary of the British Psychological Society.

About Cambridge University Press

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