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[Anthropology of curses].
Carlos Rojas-Malpica1, Sergio J Villaseñor-Bayardo, José R Reyes-Rivas
1Departamento de Salud Mental. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela.carlucho2013@gmail.com.
Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
|October 20, 2015
Summary
This study explores the psychological power of curses, examining how religious and secular forms leverage dogma to influence human fears. Understanding symbolic efficacy reveals deep insights into cultural psychiatry and the human psyche.
Area of Science:
- Cultural Psychiatry
- Anthropology of Consciousness
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
Background:
- The symbolic order provides a framework for understanding profound human fears.
- Claude Lévi-Strauss' concept of symbolic efficacy offers a foundation for analyzing curses.
- Interdisciplinary insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and anthropology enrich this study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the symbolic efficacy of curses, encompassing both religious and secular forms.
- To explore the psychological mechanisms through which curses mobilize specific areas of the psyche.
- To analyze the role of dogma in the effectiveness of symbolic imprecations.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research employing phenomenology and symbolic hermeneutics.
- Empirical analysis of historical religious curses and secular excommunication practices.
- Interpretation of symbolic elements within curses and their psychological impact.
Main Results:
- Curses, both religious and secular, demonstrate significant symbolic efficacy in addressing deep-seated fears.
- Specific symbols within curses effectively mobilize distinct regions of the human psyche.
- Dogma is identified as the central element enabling the symbolic power of curses.
Conclusions:
- The study underscores the profound connection between symbolic systems, dogma, and psychological impact.
- Understanding curses offers valuable insights into cultural psychiatry and the anthropology of consciousness.
- Dogma is essential for the symbolic efficacy and psychological mobilization achieved by curses.
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