Alternative spiritualities and the cultural logic of late capitalism

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Some practices in Alternative Spiritualities have been criticised by social commentators for their 'appropriation' of indigenous cultures. This article will argue that 'appropriation' is not limited to these cultures but is part of a larger phenomenon, that of cultural consumption of selective parts of history. Furthermore, this cultural consumption is not restricted to history alone, but is extended to contemporary popular culture, such as people and groups who find inspiration for their spirituality from the fictions of H.P. Lovecraft, vampire stories and the Star Wars mythos. Following Fredric Jameson's work on Postmodernism, this article will provide an insight into how the cultural consumption of history and popular culture by people involved in Alternative Spiritualities has become part of the cultural logic of late capitalism.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)31-46
    Number of pages16
    JournalCulture and Religion
    Volume4
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2003

    Keywords

    • New Age
    • consumption
    • Jameson
    • popular culture
    • pastiche
    • late capitalism

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