New Directions in the Anthropology of Dreaming

The book explores new directions in contemporary anthropological dream research, integrating neuroscience and philosophy of mind findings to understand dreams' sociohistorical and cultural contexts. It includes chapters by prominent anthropologists conducting ethnographic research in diverse settings, discussing dream theories and their significance within cultural ontologies. The volume proposes theoretical approaches to dreaming, illustrating its relevance to anthropology and other disciplines.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 09 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of contemporary anthropological dream research, exploring innovative theorizations that have emerged both within and beyond the field. It seamlessly integrates cutting-edge findings from neuroscience and the philosophy of mind, while showcasing how dreams arise from and provide commentary on sociohistorical and cultural contexts. The chapters, penned by esteemed anthropologists specializing in the intersection of culture and consciousness, are based on ethnographic research conducted in diverse settings across the globe. These chapters reflect the diverse approaches employed by various informants to investigate dreams, highlighting the growing diversity of dream sites. Moreover, the book not only theorizes dreams in the context of current anthropological and psychological research but also accounts for local dream theories and their placement within distinct cultural ontologies. It examines dreams as a valuable resource for exploring and understanding cultural change, as a mode of thinking through, contesting, altering, consolidating, or escaping from identity, and the nature of dream mentation.

In proposing novel theoretical frameworks for dreaming, the editors position the topic within the recent call for an anthropology of the night. They illustrate how dreams offer valuable insights into ongoing debates within the mainstream of anthropology. This up-to-date book establishes a twenty-first-century approach to culture and dreams, which will appeal to scholars from anthropology as well as other disciplines such as religious studies, neuroscience, and psychology.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367479336