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Re-calling Magical Thinking: Different, yet Connected Views on Magical Thinking

Qamar, Azher Hameed LU (2023)
Abstract
This essay recalls the concept of ‘magical thinking’ and provides a scooping description of its utilitarian value. ‘Magical thinking’ is a classic notion in cognitive anthropology, and it is seen as a utilitarian cognitive pattern that provides a platform to practice magico-religious beliefs and to build confidence in the operational efficacy of these belief practices. In cognitive psychology, magical thinking is irrational reasoning that involves thoughts, objects, and events with no actual causal link. During COVID-19, we have witnessed an ‘extension’ of germ theory in the form of a consensus between magical and causal thinking. We learned how dangerous a ‘touch’ might be, and that led to a socio-cognitive script of fear of physical... (More)
This essay recalls the concept of ‘magical thinking’ and provides a scooping description of its utilitarian value. ‘Magical thinking’ is a classic notion in cognitive anthropology, and it is seen as a utilitarian cognitive pattern that provides a platform to practice magico-religious beliefs and to build confidence in the operational efficacy of these belief practices. In cognitive psychology, magical thinking is irrational reasoning that involves thoughts, objects, and events with no actual causal link. During COVID-19, we have witnessed an ‘extension’ of germ theory in the form of a consensus between magical and causal thinking. We learned how dangerous a ‘touch’ might be, and that led to a socio-cognitive script of fear of physical contact during COVID-19. With a primary objective of introducing the concept, this essay is about how so-called ‘primitive’ thought patterns of magical thinking may be triggered and utilized by providing a causal connection between two events that are not evident otherwise. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Working paper/Preprint
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Cognition, Magical Thinking, Sympathetic Magic, Cultural Cognition, Associative Thinking, well-being
publisher
Qeios
DOI
10.32388/Z26YLI
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
db98fc55-bc48-4705-861a-4b8761ffb147
date added to LUP
2023-12-22 16:16:49
date last changed
2024-01-04 10:07:28
@misc{db98fc55-bc48-4705-861a-4b8761ffb147,
  abstract     = {{This essay recalls the concept of ‘magical thinking’ and provides a scooping description of its utilitarian value. ‘Magical thinking’ is a classic notion in cognitive anthropology, and it is seen as a utilitarian cognitive pattern that provides a platform to practice magico-religious beliefs and to build confidence in the operational efficacy of these belief practices. In cognitive psychology, magical thinking is irrational reasoning that involves thoughts, objects, and events with no actual causal link. During COVID-19, we have witnessed an ‘extension’ of germ theory in the form of a consensus between magical and causal thinking. We learned how dangerous a ‘touch’ might be, and that led to a socio-cognitive script of fear of physical contact during COVID-19. With a primary objective of introducing the concept, this essay is about how so-called ‘primitive’ thought patterns of magical thinking may be triggered and utilized by providing a causal connection between two events that are not evident otherwise.}},
  author       = {{Qamar, Azher Hameed}},
  keywords     = {{Cognition; Magical Thinking; Sympathetic Magic; Cultural Cognition; Associative Thinking; well-being}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  note         = {{Preprint}},
  publisher    = {{Qeios}},
  title        = {{Re-calling Magical Thinking: Different, yet Connected Views on Magical Thinking}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.32388/Z26YLI}},
  doi          = {{10.32388/Z26YLI}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}