Theorizing the Anthropology of Belief: Magic, Conspiracies, and Misinformation [Paperback]

What happens when philosophy of science is applied to the murky worlds of magic, conspiracy, misinformation, alien abduction, and recovered memories? Desperately needed clarity! Matthews and Robertson show us why anthropology must integrate scientific and humanities approaches if we are to banish the murk.

 Wesley J. Wildman, Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics, Boston University

Truth matters. But how do we know what is true? From anthropology to physics and everything in between, everything hinges on the answer. Matthews and Robertson take a deep dive into the history of scientific and humanistic thought to answer one of the most profoundly important questions of all times.

 Dimitris Xygalatas, Associate Professor of Anthropology and author of Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living

1 The Bidirectional Relationship of Ontology and Epistemology

2 Bidirectionality in the Ontological Turn in Anthropology

3 Bidirectionality of Ontology-Epistemology in the Western Tradition

4 Evolution, Biological Anthropology, and Archeology in Ontological Perspective

5 Quantitative Cultural Analysis within Ontological Uniqueness

6 The Scientific Study of Low-Verifiability Beliefs

7 An Ontology of Anthropology as Both Science and Humanities

This book explores both scientific and humanistic theoretical traditions in anthropology through the lens of ontology.

The first part of the book examines different methods for generating valid anthropological knowledge and proposes a shift in current consensus. Drawing on Western scholars of antiquity and the medieval period and moving away frl£,