The Origin of Man and of His Superstitions

Magic 108

§ 1. Antiquity of Magic 108-9

§ 2. What is Magic?-Magic defined; imaginary impersonal force contrasted with power of spirits; its action uniform like laws of nature. Kinds of Magic 109-12

§ 3. The Beginnings of Magic.-A matter of speculation. The earliest were probably the simplest, and the kinds that have prevailed most widely by tradition and hereditary predisposition. The chief source of belief in Magic is the mistaking of coincidence for causation 112-19

§ 4. Magical Force and Primitive Ideas of Causation.-Idea of magical force derived from physical force (empathy, Animatism, invisible action at a distance, mana). How Animism and Magic corrupt the ideas of causation 119-24

§ 5. Magic and Mystery 124-6

§ 6. Volitional Magic.-A relatively late idea 126-8

§ 7. The Evolution of Magic-Direct Magic.-Growth and differentiation; four stages; spells and charms; taboo 128-34

§ 8. Indirect or "Sympathetic" Magic.-Principles of Sympathetic Magic-mimesis and participation; connection with Animism. Exemplary Magic 134-42

§ 9. The Dissolution of Magic 143-4

Animism 145

§ 1. What is Animism?-Hyperphysical and psychological Animism. Not all savages think that every man has a separable soul 145-7

§ 2. Psychological Animism.-That everything is animated not an universal or primitive illusion. Animatism. Causes of the treatment of some inanimate things as living or sentient 147-53

§ 3. The Ghost Theory.-Originated chiefly by dreams; which are regarded as objective experience 153-7

§ 4. Extension of the Ghost Theory to Animals.-Influence of shadows and reflections. Generally, only things individually interesting have ghosts. Examples 157-60

§ 5. Ghosts and Soul-stuff.-Separated spirits need bodies and food, that is, soul-stuff. Abstract ideas of "spirit," "force," etc. 161-4

§ 6. Ghosts and Spirits.-Ghosts first imagined, and other spirits on their model. Some spirits, formerly ghosts, now declared not to have been; others never incarnate 164-9

§ 7. How Ghosts and Spirits are imagined.-Have the same attributes, and not at first immaterial; confused with the corpse. Various conceptions. Number of souls to each body. External souls 169-73

§ 8. Origin and Destiny of Souls.-Reincarnation-Transmigration-Liable to second death. Place of the departed. Importance of next life resembling the present 174-7

§ 9. The Treatment of Ghosts.-Results partly from fear, partly from affection. Funerary rites-extravagance and economy. Simplicity of ghosts. Inconsistent behaviour toward them 178-82

§ 10. Evolution and Dissolution of Animism.-Popular and priestly Animism. Different emotions excited by ghosts and by gods 182-6

Omens 225

§ 1. The Prevalence of Omens everywhere, in all ages. Examples 225-6

§ 2. Omens and Natural Signs.-Natural signs all-important to hunters; and Omens are imaginary signs 226-7

§ 3. Some Signs Conceived of as Magical.-By coincidence some events become signs of others by a mysterious and infallible tie. Moods of elation or depression favour belief in Omens; their validity may depend upon acceptance. Antiquity of subjective Omens. Whatever causes elation or depression is ominous. Coincidence and analogy 227-32

§ 4. Differentiation of Omens from General Magic.-Omens are classed with charms, rites and spells, but distinguished by being signs only, not causes. Other differences 232-4

§ 5. Omens Interpreted by Animism.-Omens resemble warnings-at first given by friendly animals, then by spirits, hence connected with Oracles and Dreams 234-8

§ 6. Natural and Artificial Omens-Natural Omens not being always at hand, means are discovered for obtaining them at any time; e. g. Dice, Hepatomancy, Astrology 238-40

§ 7. Divination and Oracles.-Diviners and the art of Divination. Power of Diviners and Oracles. Ways of obtaining oracles and of being inspired derived from low savagery 240-45

§ 8. Apparent Failure of Omens-ascribed to faulty observation or interpretation; frustration by spirits, or by superior Magic; or by having been symbolically fulfilled 245-7

§ 9. Apology for Omens.-The Diviner or oracular person tries to be well-informed. The Stoics and Divination. Omens involved in Fate. Conditional and unconditional Omens 247-61