Introduction — Magic: A Very Short

: The book covers universal traits like "sympathetic magic"—the idea that things once in contact continue to influence each other—which social scientists use to categorize cross-cultural practices.

: Assessing its role in contemporary life. Shopping Options This book is widely available at several major retailers: Flipkart : ₹310 ₹262 (15% off) Amazon India : ₹325 Atlantic Books : ₹245 Magic - Owen Davies - Oxford University Press Magic: A Very Short Introduction

: Exploring how humans naturally engage in "magical thinking". : The book covers universal traits like "sympathetic

: Looking at the psychology behind magical belief. : Looking at the psychology behind magical belief

: Tracing magic from its Persian roots (the magi ) to the Roman and Medieval eras.

: Magic is often used as a rhetorical tool. Since the Enlightenment, Western thinkers have frequently labeled magic as "primitive" or "benighted" to distinguish modern progress from earlier human stages.