Acts That Work: A Cognitive Approach to Ritual Agency
In: Method & Theory in the Study of ReligionSearch for other papers by Jesper Sørensen in
Current site
Google Scholar
Abstract
Questions of agency are central for understanding ritual behavior in general and representations of ritual efficacy in particular. Religious traditions often stipulate who are entitled to perform particular rituals. Further, representations of unobservable superhuman agents are often explicitly described as the 'real' ritual agents. Recent investigations into the processes underlying action representations and social cognition can help explain how these representations arise. It is argued that paying close attention to details in the cognitive processing of ordinary actions can shed light on how ritual actions activate part of these systems while simultaneously leaving other aspects unaccounted for. This has particular effects that make culturally transmitted representations of superhuman agents highly relevant.
Purchase
Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Institutional Login
Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials
Personal login
Log in with your brill.com account
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 507 | 167 | 17 |
| Full Text Views | 238 | 27 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 166 | 58 | 2 |
Acts That Work: A Cognitive Approach to Ritual Agency
In: Method & Theory in the Study of ReligionSearch for other papers by Jesper Sørensen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Questions of agency are central for understanding ritual behavior in general and representations of ritual efficacy in particular. Religious traditions often stipulate who are entitled to perform particular rituals. Further, representations of unobservable superhuman agents are often explicitly described as the 'real' ritual agents. Recent investigations into the processes underlying action representations and social cognition can help explain how these representations arise. It is argued that paying close attention to details in the cognitive processing of ordinary actions can shed light on how ritual actions activate part of these systems while simultaneously leaving other aspects unaccounted for. This has particular effects that make culturally transmitted representations of superhuman agents highly relevant.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 507 | 167 | 17 |
| Full Text Views | 238 | 27 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 166 | 58 | 2 |