"The implications of this book are vast and potentially revolutionary for the humanities. Josephson-Storm's mastery over the history of western philosophy, his sharp eye for the magical lives of the intellectuals, and his expertise in Japanese religion render his voice uniquely multidimensional, utterly original, and eerily persuasive. I am deeply excited about The Myth of Disenchantment and what it portends for both our academic fields and our human futures."-Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of Authors of the Impossible: The Paranormal and the Sacred
"I know of no other study that offers such an ambitious reassessment of the genealogy of the notion of disenchantment. Building on impressive historical research, Josephson-Storm offers innovative readings of foundational social scientific and theoretical texts. This book is a major addition to the critical literature exploring the origins and nature of modernity."
-Randall Styers, author of Making Magic: Religion, Magic, and Science in the Modern World
"
The Myth of Disenchantment is a work of considerable clarity and directness. . .notable for its lucidity. . . . The Myth of Disenchantment is essential reading for those interested in the history of the modern humanities. It is directly engaged in this emerging field, investigating the figures and practices that constitute the history of the study of religion, critical theory, and other 'human sciences.' It features insightful syntheses of previous work, as well as original research into both obscure and well-worn areas of inquiry. . . offers a strong basis for future work."-History of Humanities
"The author displays impressive erudition in tackling what is, by any standards, a massive undertaking. . . Josephson-Storm exhaustively traces the development of Western thought on this subject through history to the present time, and convincingly argues that the magic never really went away after all. . . .While the underlying theme is eminently simple and understandable, some of the philosophical arguments become immensely complex. This book is a serious academic work. . .yet he reveals a capacity for lightness of touch. . .
The Myth of Disenchantment is a most stimulating and informative book."-Magonia Review of Books
"This is a significant book.
The Myth of Disenchantment is ambitious and well written, horizon broadening and provocative. . . . It forces the sociologist to reconsider whether secularization and disenchantment are necessarily causally linked, and it vexes the science of religion's self-understanding as a disciplinary tradition with a safe distance from the object it interprets and explains. In other words, the book is definitely recommended for critical reading."-Jørn Borup, Religionsvidenskabeligt Tidsskrift "The Myth of Disenchantment is a model monograph: a work that condenses a dizzying array of information into a tightly woven and significant argument and then relays it in easily understandable and enjoyable prose. Its impact on the field at large is sure to be felt."-Journal of the American Academy of Religion
About the Author
Jason Ānanda Josephson-Storm is Chair & Associate professor of the Department of Religion at Williams College. He received his PhD from Stanford University in 2006, his MTS from Harvard University in 2001, and has held visiting positions at Princeton University, École Française d'Extrême-Orient, Paris and Ruhr Universität, Germany. He is also the author of The Invention of Religion in Japan (University of Chicago Press 2012, winner of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion- Distinguished Book of the Year Award-2013), and The Myth of Disenchantment: Magic, Modernity and the Birth of the Human Sciences (University of Chicago Press, 2017).
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