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Sep. 7th, 2010 11:52 amOkay, this article by David Frankfurter in Magic and Ritual in the Ancient World? SO MUCH LESS OFFENSIVE THAN THE COLLINS BOOK. It's okay, academia! You can observe and not judge!
Also, this article is really interesting. ("Dynamics of Ritual Expertise in Antiquity and Beyond: Towards a New Taxonomy of 'Magicians'") Thinky thoughts! Also, Frankfurter, wonder of wonders, draws in different traditions from worldwide traditions; he mentions in the beginning that his specialty is the ancient Mediterranean world, but he's not going to talk about that like it's the be-all and end-all, since there are other traditions too. Even from outside the West, wonder of wonders! Or maybe the fact that he includes Western (even Christian!) tradition in this taxonomy of magic and magicians should be outstanding. After all, it's not uncommon for Western academics to lump in Eastern beliefs alongside ancient ones, as if they're not still living religions, but for him to talk about Christianity? Now that's impressive.
Also, this article is really interesting. ("Dynamics of Ritual Expertise in Antiquity and Beyond: Towards a New Taxonomy of 'Magicians'") Thinky thoughts! Also, Frankfurter, wonder of wonders, draws in different traditions from worldwide traditions; he mentions in the beginning that his specialty is the ancient Mediterranean world, but he's not going to talk about that like it's the be-all and end-all, since there are other traditions too. Even from outside the West, wonder of wonders! Or maybe the fact that he includes Western (even Christian!) tradition in this taxonomy of magic and magicians should be outstanding. After all, it's not uncommon for Western academics to lump in Eastern beliefs alongside ancient ones, as if they're not still living religions, but for him to talk about Christianity? Now that's impressive.