Popular beliefs Books

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Book SynopsisWhy do we believe in the views of a political party or leader? How can we better understand vaccine hesitancy or denial of climate change science? What drives extremist or conspiracist beliefs?This vital and timely new text provides a compelling survey of the science behind how people form beliefs and evaluate those of others, and why it is that beliefs are often so resistant to change in the face of conflicting evidence.Bringing together theories and empirical evidence from cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, Nancy S. Kim presents an engaging overview of the field and its implications for a wide range of beliefs from moral, political, religious, and superstitious beliefs to beliefs about ourselves and our own potential. The intriguing studies discussed demonstrate how many psychological factors contribute to belief, including memory, reasoning, judgment, emotion, personality, social cognition, and cognitive development.With thoughtful questions and a range of crosTrade ReviewWe all believe in something. But how do beliefs affect our lives — our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours? Kim’s book masterly summarises the science of belief. It’s both readable for non-experts and a valuable resource for students and academics alike. * Miguel Farias, Professor in Cognitive & Biological Psychology, Coventry University, UK *Nancy Kim provides a detailed, thorough, and engaging overview of cutting-edge research and theories about the psychology of belief. She seamlessly weaves together key ideas from various areas of psychology to give readers insight on why people believe what they do about politics, religion, health, and other important aspects of human life. This is a perfect text for readers new to the empirical study of beliefs or those who simply want to refresh their knowledge of the current state of the science. * Chadly Stern, Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA *Nancy Kim has written the definitive text on the psychology of belief. She explores our bedrock moral and political views, guides us through fanaticism, conspiracy theories, climate denial, and beliefs in the paranormal, and reveals the surprising real-world importance of our core assumptions about the nature of mind, free will, and human possibility. She clarifies why our convictions are so resistant to change but also shows how they can be reformed. With complete metaphysical certainty, I believe there is nothing quite like this mind-altering book. * Nick Haslam, Professor of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Australia *Table of Contents1. Introduction: Understanding belief through the lens of psychology 2. Moral beliefs 3. Political beliefs 4. Misinformation and fake news 5. Rejection of science 6. Changing minds 7. Extremist beliefs 8. Conspiracy theories 9. Superstitions and paranormal beliefs 10. Religious beliefs 10. Beliefs about illness and health 11. Beliefs about our personal potential 12. Conclusions: The psychology of belief into the future

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Book SynopsisThe Lost Key - The Supranatural Secrets of the Freemasons contains revelations that only an initiate of the highest orders of esoteric Freemasonry is in a position to make. Here is the truth behind the hints in Dan Brown''s The Lost Symbol that Freemasonry is concerned to reawaken the hidden potentialities and powers of the human mind.The thrilling narrative of this new book follows a candidate for initiation as he rises through the different grades of initiation, taking part in ceremonies that are sometimes terrifying but always revealing of new knowledge and presenting new mysteries which will only be solved when the next stage of initiation has been achieved. Dramatic episodes include the re-enacting of an ancient murder from 3,000 years ago in full gory detail, lowering the candidate on the end of a rope into a dark vault under the floor of the temple, holding a dagger to the candidates naked breast, and making the candidate attend his own funeral.In the secret teachi

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Book SynopsisImagine the paradise of ancient Egypt: a lush green valley with a gentle river, full of animals and birds of all sizes. The first settlers, arriving by way of the desert, would have marveled at this beautiful landscape. This awe held on through the first three millennia of settlement in Egypt. Centered on careful observations of the natural rhythms of their environment, particularly the Nile, this enlightened civilization lived in a state of spiritual balance and harmony they called "living in Maat." This state was further enhanced by the sacred landscape of Egypt and the colossal monuments and pyramids the Egyptians built to reflect the heavens, thus creating a cosmic "spiritual engine" for the ancient world. But sadly, the paradise and Maat of ancient Egypt were not to last, and for the past two thousand years Egypt has experienced many occupations by hostile forces bent on taking control of this magical land. Exploring the exemplary social and cultural model that produced the golden civilization of ancient Egypt as well as the many waves of conquest and destruction up to the present day, Robert Bauval and Ahmed Osman examine each phase of Egyptian history from its origins and the Pharaonic period, through the Roman conquest and its Christianization, to the Pan-Arabization of Nasser and the ongoing Islamization that began with the Muslim caliphate in the 7th century. They show how the current Islamic rulers are actively working to eradicate all traces of Egypt's spiritual roots, the source of the Western Mystery tradition. They provide a revised portrait of the life of Muhammad, revealing his connections to the Essene tradition, and explain how most Sharia Law is not based on the Koran. Revealing how even the dams built on the Nile are impeding Egypt's sacred role, the authors sound the call for a return to the original tenets of Egyptian civilization, one that sustained itself in harmony and peaceful creativity for more than three millennia.Trade Review“When you hear about a new book by Robert Bauval, you know you are in for a treat. Trying to understand how the ancient Egyptians viewed the world in which they existed has been a long-held goal of Egyptology. Bauval and Osman set out to reveal that golden thread of Egyptian religion and philosophy, as it winds its way through human history, long after the civilization of the pharaohs fell into ruin.” * David Rohl, Egyptologist, former director of the Institute for the Study of Interdisciplinary Scienc *“A positively vital addition to the historical bookshelf. The authors have created a perfect review of the heart of Egypt, from its predynastic beginnings to its age of the pyramids and beyond to its changing times right now. Written from an educated, enlightening perspective by two men whose genuine passion for Egypt seems never ending.” * Andrew Collins, author of Göbekli Tepe: Genesis of the Gods *“In a new collaboration following their book Breaking the Mirror of Heaven (20/01), Robert Bauval and Ahmed Osman, both Egyptian born, call for a return to the tenets that held ancient Egyptian civilization intact for 3,000 years. These were based on "living in maat", in spiritual harmony and physical balance with the heavens and Earth; it was a natural "religion" that reflected the rhythms above and below. The Nile was a barometer, its annual flooding heralded in the stars and fertilizing the land. Fast forward, and that sacred influence was impeded by the construction of dams and a lake; the fertility of the land fell into decline. The authors cover the rise of early Christianity and the Copts, the Islamization of Egypt in a Muslim caliphate in the seventh century, Napoleon's failed incursion, and colonization by foreign powers--with a fair few Egyptian rulers leading their country towards bankruptcy. They then examine the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and key events surrounding the rules of presidents from Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak to Morsi and el-Sisi. They point to the huge challenges that lie ahead with overpopulation, environmental degradation, social and cultural problems, and economic woes. But Bauval and Osman see a way beyond 2,000 years of suppression to restore the ancient balance between order and justice. They urge Egyptians to connect with their original soul identity and the golden legacy that's all around them.” * Nexus, December 2015 *“Mr. Bauvel and Mr. Osman make sense of the complex multi-cultural history of Egypt and end their book with a sense of hope for the country--a rekindling of the ancient Egyptian soul.” * New Dawn, Marc Star, March 2016 *“The Soul of Ancient Egypt is extremely well written, easy to follow and thoroughly researched; however, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who was interested in the beliefs and spirituality of ancient Egypt. The first chapter provides a great crash course, but the book as a whole is focused on historical and political matters. Religion plays a role in this because Egypt is and has always been a religious nation, but the crux of this book is about the political and religious history of Egypt. A fascinating read, The Soul of Ancient Egypt would be excellent for anyone interested in history, specifically in the ways regions are shaped through religious politics, and the impact industrialism has on a country.” * Spiral Nature *Table of Contents1 Living in Maat The Pharaonization of Egyptians 2 The Invasion of Isfet (Chaos) The Christianizing of Egyptians 3 God Lives in the Desert The Islamization of Egyptians--Part 1 4 The State Known as the Caliphate The Islamization of Egyptians--Part 2 5 Riding on a White Steed The Westernization of Egyptians 6 Forever Building Palaces The Colonization of Egyptians 7 A Battle for the Hearts and Minds of Egyptians The Pan-Arabization of Egyptians 8 The Fortress of Tahrir Square The Brotherhoodization of Egyptians 9 Finding Maat Again The Democratization of Egyptians Epilogue Appendix Salafism Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis text examines conspiracy theories and tackles paranoia as a style of debate within science, psychotherapy, and popular entertainment. A conspiracy theory emerges as a way to address the inadequacies of rational expertise and organization in the face of the changes that undermine them.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An eclectic anthology, it offers the readers more than one argument and perspective, which makes the volume itself lively and rich." -Ron Scapp, coeditor of Fashion Statements: On Style, Appearance, and Reality " -Table of ContentsIntroduction: American Shame and the Boundaries of Belonging / Myra MendiblePart 1: Scarlet Letters: Gender, Race, and Stigma1. Shame Before the Law: Affects of Abortion Regulation / Karen Weingarten2. Sex, Shame, and the Single Life: Bond and the "Black Shirley Temple" / Daniel McNeil3. Neoliberal Crimmigration: The "Common Sense" Shaming of the Undocumented / Leah Perry4. The Look of Sovereignty: Style, Shame, and Politics in the Young Lords / Frances Negrón-MuntanerPart 2: Disciplining the Body Politic: Domestic and Foreign Policy5. Suicide as an Invocation of Shame in Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist / Renee Lee Gardner6. Fat, Shame, and the Disciplining Practices of Health Expertise / Meghan Griffin7. Citizenship at Odds: Disability, Liberalism and the Shame of Interdependence / Noel GloverPart 3: Bodies on Display: Performing Shame in Visual Arts8. Shame and Shitting: Postfeminist Episodes in Contemporary Hollywood Films / Madeline Walker9. Distancing Maneuvers: Collective Shame in Iraq War Films / Mike Rancourt10. Deinstitutionalization of the Mentally Ill, Shame, and the Rise of the "Slasher" Trope in Halloween / Anthony Carlton Cooke11. Shaming and Reclaiming Women's Sexuality through Cinematic Depictions of Masturbation / Megan Tagle Adams12. Dieting for the Sake of Art: Eleanor Antin, Rachel Rosenthal, and Faith Ringgold / Emily NewmanContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"UFOs, Chemtrails, and Aliens is a model of scientific reasoning, rational analysis, and elegant prose that reveals a phenomenon every bit as interesting as the possibility of alien life landing here on Earth or existing somewhere out there in the cosmos-the fact that we can conceive of such a concept, study it scientifically, and understand that we are part of the universe as evolved sentient beings capable of such sublime thought." -Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazineTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrologue: Consider the Following1. Science and the Paranormal2. The Believing Brain3. Area 51: What is Really Going on in There?4. The Roswell Incident: What Really Happened?5. Close Encounters of the Second Kind: Physical Evidence of Alien Contact6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Direct Encounters with Aliens7. Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind: Alien Abduction8. The Mythos of Ancient Aliens 9. Praying to Aliens10. Ancient Myths and Modern Media11. Cloud's Illusions12. Are They Out There?13. Why Do People Believe in UFOs and Aliens?14. The VerdictNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisExplores popular religious music and dance from the CaribbeanTrade ReviewIn addition to its ample contribution to scholarship on the Caribbean and its musical practices, colonial-, and post-colonial histories, de Jong makes valuable contributions to a number of scholarly literatures concerned with Afro-Caribbean performance practices. * The World of Music *De Jong emphasizes 'tambu's' role as a medium of memory, cultural and political commentary, and commemorative history.Fall / Winter 2015 * Latin American Music Review *Overall, this volume in Indiana University Press's Ethnomusicology Multimedia series is an important contribution to Caribbean ethnomusicology and studies of creolization processes. * New West Indian Guide *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction/Introducktorio: Get Ready! / Poné Bo Kla!Part 1. Habri: Here It Is, the History of Tambú! / Até Aki, Historia di Tambú! 1. The Story of Our Ancestors, the Story of Africa / E Kuenta di Nos Antepasados, e Kuenta di Afrika 2. Told through the Fierce Rhythms of the Drum / Kontá pa e Ritmonan Furioso di su Barí 3. The Laws Couldn't Keep Tambú Away. The Church Couldn't Keep Tambú Away. / Leinan No Por a Tene Tambú Lew. Misa No Por a Tene Tambú Lew.Part 2. Séru: Get Ready! Get Ready! / Poné Bo Kla! Poné Bo Kla! 4. Prepare for the Arrival of Our Ancestors / Prepará Bo pa e Jegada di Nos Antepasados 5. Clap Your Hands! / Bati Bo Mannan! 6. Come for the Party / Bin na e FiestaConclusion/Conclui: Are You Ready? Are You Ready to Hear the History of Tambú? / Bo Ta Kla? Bo Ta Kla pa Tende e Historia di Tambú?Glossary of Terms Referring to TambúBibliographyList of InterviewsIndex

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