Magic and Witchcraft with Phillips Stevens
Manage episode 512074074 series 3460582
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria in his early 20s, Phillips Stevens witnessed an act of sorcery that blew his mind. He turned that moment into a 50-year career as a cultural anthropologist at the University at Buffalo, exploring religion, spirituality and the supernatural in cultures across the world. In this episode, Stevens joins host Tom Dinki to share insights from his new book, “Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human.” He explains why magical thinking isn’t a relic of the past—it’s hardwired into us, a survival strategy that still shapes how we navigate the unknown and process the unthinkable. From common superstitions and religious rituals to conspiracy theories like QAnon, Stevens shows how belief in magic and witchcraft persists, and what makes it inherently human.
Credits:
Host: Tom Dinki
Guest: Phillips Stevens
Writer/Producer: Laura Silverman
Production and editing by UB Video Production Group
Coming Dec. 9: Sleep is a basic biological function, so why do so many people struggle with it? Nationally recognized sleep expert Carleara Weiss unpacks the mysteries of why we sleep and what happens when we don’t; discusses her research on the connection between sleep and Alzheimer's disease; and shares her top tips for getting a better night’s rest.
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