The belief in the “evil eye” has been studied by researchers and philosophers from a variety of different cultural and disciplinary perspectives. Here are a few examples:
- Anthropologist Clifford Geertz, in his seminal work “The Interpretation of Cultures,” discusses the role of the evil eye in Balinese culture, where it is believed to cause sickness and misfortune. Geertz argues that the evil eye reflects deeper cultural beliefs about the dangers of envy and the need for social harmony.
- In her book “The Evil Eye: The Classic Account of an Ancient Superstition,” folklorist and historian Frederick Thomas Elworthy traces the history and cultural significance of the evil eye in a variety of different traditions, including Ancient Greek, Roman, and Arabic cultures.
- In Islamic philosophy, the concept of the evil eye is linked to the idea of envy, which is seen as a destructive force that can harm both the envier and the envied. Scholars such as Muhammad Ali Al-Halabi and Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa’di have written about the importance of avoiding envy and cultivating positive attitudes towards others.
- From a psychological perspective, the belief in the evil eye has been studied as a kind of cultural schema or mental model. Researchers such as Ayse K. Uskul and Kim-Pong Tam have explored the ways in which the belief in the evil eye is connected to social comparison and the desire to protect oneself from harm.
- In some modern interpretations of the evil eye, the power of the gaze is seen as a metaphor for the power of the mind and the ability to affect the world around us. This view has been explored by philosophers such as William Irwin Thompson and Brian Swimme, who see the evil eye as a way of exploring the deeper mysteries of human consciousness and the relationship between the mind and the world.
- Pierre Bourdieu – French sociologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in Algeria as a way of understanding the cultural and social structures of the region.
- Paul Feyerabend – philosopher of science who wrote about the power of magical beliefs, including the belief in the evil eye, as a way of challenging Western scientific paradigms.
- Sigmund Freud – psychoanalyst who explored the role of envy and jealousy in human psychology, and its connection to the belief in the evil eye.
- William Robertson Smith – Scottish anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in the context of ancient Near Eastern religions.
- Nigel Goring-Morris – archaeologist who has explored the evidence for the belief in the evil eye in ancient societies, including the use of amulets and talismans to protect against its power.
- Carl Jung – psychologist and philosopher who explored the symbolism of the evil eye as a way of understanding the deeper workings of the human psyche.
- Robert A. LeVine – anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in a variety of cultural contexts, including West Africa and the Middle East.
- John K. Noyes – folklorist who has written about the cultural significance of the evil eye in a variety of different traditions, including Mediterranean, South Asian, and Mexican cultures.
- Malinowski – Anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in the Trobriand Islands.
- Ernest Jones – Psychoanalyst who explored the connections between the evil eye and the unconscious mind.
- Francis Cornford – Classicist who wrote about the belief in the evil eye in ancient Greek and Roman culture.
- Carol Delaney – Anthropologist who has studied the belief in the evil eye in Turkey.
- Michael Taussig – Anthropologist who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of fetishism.
- Niyazi Öktem – Sociologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in Turkey and its connections to social structure.
- James Frazer – Anthropologist and folklorist who wrote about the belief in the evil eye in a variety of cultural contexts.
- Carlo Ginzburg – Historian who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of the witch in European history.
- Edward Tylor – Anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in a variety of different cultures.
- Jan N. Bremmer – Classicist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in ancient Greek and Roman culture, as well as its connections to other ancient religions.
- Malinowski – Anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in the Trobriand Islands.
- Ernest Jones – Psychoanalyst who explored the connections between the evil eye and the unconscious mind.
- Francis Cornford – Classicist who wrote about the belief in the evil eye in ancient Greek and Roman culture.
- Carol Delaney – Anthropologist who has studied the belief in the evil eye in Turkey.
- Michael Taussig – Anthropologist who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of fetishism.
- Niyazi Öktem – Sociologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in Turkey and its connections to social structure.
- James Frazer – Anthropologist and folklorist who wrote about the belief in the evil eye in a variety of cultural contexts.
- Carlo Ginzburg – Historian who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of the witch in European history.
- Edward Tylor – Anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in a variety of different cultures.
- Jan N. Bremmer – Classicist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in ancient Greek and Roman culture, as well as its connections to other ancient religions.
- Ernest Jones – Psychoanalyst who explored the connections between the evil eye and the unconscious mind.
- Francis Cornford – Classicist who wrote about the belief in the evil eye in ancient Greek and Roman culture.
- Carol Delaney – Anthropologist who has studied the belief in the evil eye in Turkey.
- Michael Taussig – Anthropologist who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of fetishism.
- Niyazi Öktem – Sociologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in Turkey and its connections to social structure.
- James Frazer – Anthropologist and folklorist who wrote about the belief in the evil eye in a variety of cultural contexts.
- Carlo Ginzburg – Historian who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of the witch in European history.
- Edward Tylor – Anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in a variety of different cultures.
- Jan N. Bremmer – Classicist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in ancient Greek and Roman culture, as well as its connections to other ancient religions.
Here are some of the results of their ideas and researches:
- Their research has helped shed light on the cultural and symbolic dimensions of the belief in the evil eye, and its impact on individual and collective behavior in different cultural and historical contexts.
- They have explored the connections between the belief in the evil eye and other cultural practices, such as witchcraft, magic, and religion.
- Their research has helped to challenge Eurocentric notions of culture and knowledge, by highlighting the importance of understanding different cultural practices and beliefs.
- They have provided insight into the complex relationships between culture, power, and social organization, and the ways in which cultural practices can reinforce and challenge social hierarchies.
- Their research has helped to expand our understanding of the unconscious mind and the ways in which cultural practices and beliefs can influence individual psychology and behavior.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can function as a means of social control, regulating the distribution of resources and the allocation of status and prestige.
- Their research has highlighted the importance of understanding the role of culture in shaping individual and collective identity and the ways in which cultural practices and beliefs can be used to reinforce social boundaries and identities.
- They have explored the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can function as a means of explaining and coping with uncertain events, such as illness or misfortune.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can be used to negotiate power relations and to challenge or reinforce social norms.
- Their research has demonstrated the importance of understanding the connections between the belief in the evil eye and other cultural practices, such as gift-giving, reciprocity, and hospitality.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can function as a way of regulating social behavior and ensuring conformity to social norms.
- They have explored the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used as a means of scapegoating or blaming others for misfortune.
- Their research has demonstrated the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of the belief in the evil eye, and the ways in which it has changed over time.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can be used to explain or justify social inequalities, such as economic disparities or social exclusion.
- Their research has highlighted the importance of understanding the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to challenge or resist dominant cultural and political structures.
- They have provided insight into the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to negotiate or contest different forms of power and authority, including political, religious, and economic power.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can be used to reinforce gender norms and to maintain patriarchal power relations.
- Their research has highlighted the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can function as a way of coping with uncertainty and anxiety in everyday life.
- They have explored the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used as a means of social control and moral regulation.
- Their research has demonstrated the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to create and reinforce social hierarchies and to maintain social order.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can function as a way of expressing and negotiating social identity and belonging.
- Their research has highlighted the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of the belief in the evil eye, and its connections to other cultural practices and beliefs.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can be used to explain or justify political and economic inequalities, such as poverty or unemployment.
- Their research has demonstrated the importance of understanding the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to challenge or resist dominant cultural and political structures.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can be used to create or reinforce cultural boundaries and to define what is considered “normal” or “abnormal” behavior.
- Their research has highlighted the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to promote social cohesion and to create a sense of collective identity.
- They have explored the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to manage risk and uncertainty in social and economic contexts.
- Their research has demonstrated the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to challenge or resist dominant cultural and political structures.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can be used to regulate or control sexual behavior, and to reinforce traditional gender roles.
- Their research has highlighted the importance of understanding the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to promote social and economic solidarity and to foster trust and reciprocity.
- They have explored the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to maintain social hierarchies and to reinforce political and economic power relations.
- Their research has demonstrated the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to negotiate and manage interpersonal relationships and social conflicts.
- They have shown how the belief in the evil eye can be used to reinforce religious beliefs and to legitimize religious authority.
- Their research has highlighted the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to create and reinforce social stigma and exclusion.
- They have explored the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to negotiate and manage intercultural contact and conflict.
- Their research has demonstrated the importance of understanding the ways in which the belief in the evil eye can be used to promote and maintain social and economic inequality.
Also
- Maria G. Parani – Art historian who has written about the evil eye in Byzantine and post-Byzantine art.
- Franco Cardini – Historian who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of the demon in medieval Europe.
- Rana Issa – Anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in Lebanon and its connections to ideas of beauty and aesthetics.
- Émile Durkheim – Sociologist who studied the role of religion and magic in society, and how the belief in the evil eye fits into those categories.
- Enno Giele – Social psychologist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in modern Greece and its connections to social hierarchies.
- Robert Garland – Classicist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in ancient Greek and Roman culture, and its connections to ideas of envy and competition.
- Leslie White – Anthropologist who studied the evolution of human culture, and how the belief in the evil eye fits into that larger historical context.
- Paul Watzlawick – Psychologist and communication theorist who explored the connections between the evil eye and ideas of communication and perception.
- Gabriela Ramos – Anthropologist who has studied the belief in the evil eye in Latin America and its connections to ideas of wealth and prosperity.
- David Tacey – Psychologist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in relation to the collective unconscious and archetypal imagery.
- Philip L. Kohl – Archaeologist who has explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of the gaze in ancient societies.
- Richard Fardon – Anthropologist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in Africa and its connections to ideas of misfortune and illness.
- Jaroslav Stetkevych – Scholar of Arabic literature who has studied the belief in the evil eye in Islamic culture and literature.
- Mary Douglas – Anthropologist who studied the role of ritual and symbolism in society, and how the belief in the evil eye fits into those categories.
- David Frankfurter – Historian who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of the curse in ancient Mediterranean cultures.
- Anton Blok – Anthropologist who studied the belief in the evil eye in Sardinia and its connections to ideas of shame and honor.
- Michael Lambek – Anthropologist who has studied the belief in the evil eye in Madagascar and its connections to ideas of spiritual power.
- Alexandra Aikhenvald – Linguist who has written about the belief in the evil eye in indigenous South American cultures and its connections to language and speech.
- Ronald Hutton – Historian who has written about the belief in the evil eye in medieval Europe and its connections to the concept of the witch.
- Alfred Gell – Anthropologist who explored the connections between the evil eye and the concept of art and aesthetics in Melanesian cultures.