Ideas of Possession: Interdisciplinary and Transcultural Perspectives

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Nicole M. Bauer (Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, University of Graz) J. Andrew Doole (Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, University of Innsbruck)

Ideas of Possession

Interdisciplinary and Transcultural Perspectives

Nicole M. Bauer (Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, University of Graz), J. Andrew Doole (Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, University of Innsbruck)

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English

Oxford University Press Inc
09 March 2025

Old Testaments; Social & cultural anthropology; Psychological theory & schools of thought

The idea that an external force can enter an individual and possess their body is prevalent in most cultures across the globe and throughout history. This possession can last for varying lengths of time, and its effects can be considered positive--when a ""spirit"" provides the individual with powers, abilities, knowledge, or authority--or negative--when the individual suffers and the ""spirit"" should ideally be cast out, usually through a ritual performed by someone with a designated role. The study of possession remains marginal in most academic disciplines, but current public discourses indicate that the topic remains relevant across modern and postmodern societies. A globalized world has brought about an unprecedented situation in which decidedly different ideas about possession influence one another, and people attribute a wide variety of experiences and behaviors to spiritual possession. There are those who describe themselves as possessed, sometimes as an inherent element of their identities, and those who are labelled as possessed by others, though this label often comes with a stigma. Ideas of Possession brings together scholars of various disciplines to consolidate an ongoing academic discussion on how possession is understood within different cultural contexts. Essays present ideas of possession from Antiquity, Biblical Studies, Religious Studies, History, Ethnology, Anthropology, and Psychology, demonstrating how each field's approach to this subject can benefit from interdisciplinary dialogue as we attempt to make sense of such a broad range of interpretations.

Edited by: Nicole M. Bauer (Assistant Professor Assistant Professor University of Graz), J. Andrew Doole (Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, University of Innsbruck)
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 221mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 46mm
Weight: 726g
ISBN: 9780197679920
ISBN 10: 0197679927
Pages: 456
Publication Date: 09 March 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

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Nicole M. Bauer is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Graz. J. Andrew Doole is Assistant Professor in the Department for Biblical Studies and Historical Theology at the University of Innsbruck.