Extraordinary Beliefs: A Historical Approach to a Psychological Problem

Peter Lamont, Extraordinary Belieft: A Historical Approach to a Psychological Problem. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Pp. xi + 321. $29.95 paperback.

In Extraordinary Beliefs: A Historical Approach to a Psychological Problem, Peter Lamont explores mesmerism, spiritualism, psychic phenomena, and the paranormal, specifically focusing on the factors affecting those who believe as well as those who do not believe in the extraordinary phenomena associated with these movements. His subject matter is historical, but his intent is not to provide "histories of" the subject matter. Instead, Lamont examines why some (believers) acknowledge the existence of clairvoyant powers or ESP as extraordinary (i.e., beliefs that require taking on explanations that surpass those considered conventional for their time) while others (disbelievers) account for the same phenomena with "ordinary" explanations. Lamont cautions against generalizing from the beliefs he examines to beliefs in general. Those he examines are delimited by three criteria. They were considered extraordinary, were presented as evidence of something that existed, and were framed in relation to the sciences of their day (249).

Lamont is certainly qualified to take on this task. He has published extensively on topics related to the history of extraordinary phenomena, magic, and the psychology of belief and is a reviewer for major journals in the history of psychology. He is also a magician and is affiliated with organizations such as the Society for Psychical Research, the Inner Magic Circle, the Edinburgh Magic Circle, and the Koestler Parapsychology Unit.

Extraordinary Beließ is not a "history" of mesmerism, spiritualism, psychic phenomena, and the paranormal. Rather, these function as...