DOCUMENT RESUME ED 367 378 AUTHOR Sonnenfeld, Gary F .
DOCUMENT RESUMEED 367 378AUTHORTITLEPUB DATENOTEPUB TYPEEDRS PRICEDESCRIPTORSIDENTIFIERSIR 054 926Sonnenfeld, Gary F.The Treatment of the Occult in GeneralEncyclopedias.Nov 9045p.; M.L.S. Research Paper, Kent StateUniversity.Dissertations/ThesesMasters Theses (042)MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.Bias; Comparative Analysis; Content Analysis;*Encyclopedias; Indexing; Tables (Data)Encyclopedia BritannicaABSTRACTThis paper is a content analysis of three generalencyclopedias, "Encyclopedia Americana" (EA), "EncyclopaediaBrittanica" (EB), and "World Book Encyclopedia" (WBC), whichquantifies the treatment of the occult. Entries are selected fromeach by starting with the article "Occultism" and tracing allcross-references. Cross-references are likewise selected from allcross-referenced terms. Entries are then analyzed statement bystatement; each is then placed into one of 21 categories. The resultsare presented in ranked lists. Analysis concludes that the EAemphasizes miscellaneous information, background material, history,and favorable claims; EB emphasizes history and the social historyand the social, cultural, and artistic origins of many occultbeliefs; and WBC includes much miscellaneous information but alsostresses background material, history, and positive claims. Aglossary of occult terms is appended. (Contains 22 s supplied by EDRS are the best that can be madefrom the original ******************************
U.& DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONcoNce or Educatronal Research and ImprovementEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)n Thd document has Peen reproduced asfeceived born the person Of organdahnnor ygmatIngLI Mulct( changes have been made to mproyereproductmn qualdvPoints ol view or opovons stated In thddocument 00 nOt necessarily represent odicdtOE RI posibon o pobcvTHE TREATMENT OF THE OCCULT INGENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIASA Master's Research Paper submitted to theKent State University School of Library Sciencein partial fulfillment of the requirementsfor the degree Master of Library SciencebyGary F. SonnenfeldNovember, 1990"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BYRosemary Du MontfHOBESIt2TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER IERICI
Master's Research Paper byGat-y F. SonnenfeldB.A., Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 1989M.L.S., Kent State University, 1990Approved byDate /( /3-Adviserii3)
1TABLE OF CONTENTSI. INTRODUCTION1.Need for the Study and Its efinition of Terms5II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE7III. METHODOLOGY14Analysis1920.IV. RESULTS OF THE STUDYEncyclopedia Americana20.faicyclooaedia Britannica22.World Book Encyclopedia24.27V. CONCLUSIONSMeaning of the Results27.Recommendations for Future Study30Conclusion31.32.VI. BIBLIOGRAPHYVII. APPENDIX35.III4
CHAPTER IINTRODUCTIONVarious claims have been made about the occult; these rangefrom claims that the occult can lead to murder and suicide to claimsthat the occult can cure ali problems and lead to a higher awarenessof the self. Both practitioners and skeptics alike are vocal about theworthiness or unworthiness of certain beliefs and practices. And yet,in spite of the fact that there is so much controversy surrounding thetopic, it has rarely (with the exception of parapsychology, which isnot universally recognized as a scholarly field) been considered as atopic for academic study.Beginning in the 1960s, there has been a growing popularinterest in occultism. Publishers of occult books have reaped therewards of this rich renaissance, and sponsors of workshops, classes,and retreats with supernatural themes have grown wealthy. Somesubjects, such as acupuncture, have gained respectability withscholars and researchers. Others, such as the previously mentionedparapsychology, retain a tenuous foothold in academic circles. Theworks of James Frazer, Joseph Campbell, and Carl Jung have lentlegitimacy to some beliefs and practices, but most "rational minded"people are still quick to summarily dismiss the whole of the occult asfraud or nonsense.10
2The claim most often levelled against the occult is that it isaccepted uncritically by adherents. While this may be true of manypeople, it is also true that most critical studies of occultism havefocused primarily upon the efficacy of certain practices withouttaking into account the social and psychological benefits offered bythese same practices, many of which have held important places inthe lives of humanity since before the dawn of written history.The study of any subject must begin with an overview. Someattempt must be made to shc,w how the parts of the subject relate toeach other and how the totality relates to the whole of humanknowledge. In order to do this in a way that allows the student togrow into a critical researcher, this overview must be objectiveenough to permit free inquiry and avoid indoctrination.One of the tools that libraries make available to promoteindependent inquiry is the general encyclopedia. The main purposeof such encyclopedias is to place all information into a relativecontext and condense it into a manageable form, thereby serving asindexing and abstracting vehicles for the total of human knowledge.Even though certain constraints make it impossible for generalencyclopedias to include the entire scope and breadth of humanthought, it is generally assumed that a good encyclopedia willpresent that which it does include in a fair and objective manner. Infact, bias is one of the prime considerations librarians must take intoaccount when purchasing these works.Since the occuit is a popular subject that has lent itself to fewcritical yet objective overviews, it is reasonable to assume thatinformation seekers will use general encyclopedias for this purpose;6
3it is, therefore, important for librarians to have an understanding ofhow the occult is treated in these sources.Need for the Study and Its SignificanceWhen selecting such tools as general encyclopedias, it isdifficult for librarians to be aware of all biases that may exist withinthe work. An encyclopedia which may present clearly objectiveviewpoints on certain topics may, when presenting other subjects,distinctly lean toward one opinion or another. While this may be, tosome extent, unavoidable, there are some issues which should,because of their likeliness to be objects of patron inquiry, be closelyexamined.The occult is very popular in contemporary society. A lack ofcritical yet objective overviews concerning this subject is problematicin that inquirers are forced to choose between those works whichonly present a single opinion. Moreover, there is still a dearth ofeven very opinionated overviews. In such cases as when a patronwould request general information about the occult, the librarian, inhis or her role as readers' advisor or information specialist, shouldtake care to be aware of the general trustworthiness of suchinformation. The librarian may, therefore, rely upon what he or sheconsiders an unbiased source.This study will examine the treatment of the occult in three ofthe most highly respected general encyclopedias: EncyclopediaA medcana, EncycloP ae dia Britannica, and World Book Encyclooedia.While the scope of the subject studied here is very specific, it ishoped that the results can be taken as a general indication of the7
4biases that may exist in the editing and selection of articles byshowing a tendency to treat topics in a certain manner. For example,if it is shown that an encyclopedia does not focus on the history ofthe occult, it is possible to conclude that it does not give muchemphasis to the history of other topics either. It is also hoped thatthe methodology can be used as a model for future research.ObjectivesThe objectives of this paper are as follows1. To determine if the works in question present an objectiveoverview of the selected topic.2. To serve as a general indication of biases which may exist inthe editing and selection of articles for inclusion in theworks in question.3. To serve as a model for future research.Assumptions1. People will use general encyclopedias to find informationabout occultis m.2. An objective overview to a subject is desirable.3. Librarians should be aware of bias when they select ageneral encyclopedia.4. Examination of part of a work will allow some degree ofgeneralization as to the nature of the editorialadministration responsible for that work.8
5Limitations1. Only three encyclopedias will be examined.2. Only those terms linked to occultism by means of "see" or"see also" references, as well as terms linked to these termsin a similar manner, will be studied.3. Citation analysis will not be included as part of the study.4. Charts, diagrams, tables, and visual representation areexcluded from analysis.5. Only the most current editions of the chosen encyclopediasare to be examined.Definitions of TermsThe occult is a belief system whic.i claims access to or controlover powers not associated with a currently recognized concept ofthe laws of nature. It differs from religion either in that the occult isusually not recognized by society as an organized body of beliefs orbelievers, or that it is considered harmful and detrimental to thatsociety or its members. Occultism is the belief in or practice ofoccult powers. Occultism differs from esotericism; esotericismusually does not involve any unnatural powers, and it usually existswithin the framework of an accepted religious organization.General encyclopedias are those works which attempt topresent a systematic and orderly analysis of the whole of humanknowledge without any particular emphasis upon any area or aspect.While most encyclopedias are arranged alphabetically, cross-referencing and indexing are used to show the reader the position ofany topic relative to others. An encyclopedia may be composed of9
6one or many volumes; however, for the purpose of this paper, onlymulti-volume works will be examined.Bias is a tendency to present only one side of an issue inexclusion of the other or to give unequal weight to one aspect oranother. Bias can also take the form of disproportionallyemphasizing favorable or unfavorable qualities of any topic.Objectivity, as opposed to bias, is the tendency to give equalattention or emphasis to divergent viewpoints concerning a subject.Both of the above terms are, for the purposes of this study, to beused to refer to qualities of written communication.i10
CHAPTER 2REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREFor the purposes of this study,.the following print indexeswere consulted: Library Literature 11 970 to present);.Library anj.Information Science Abstracts (1970 to the present); and ReligionIndex One (1977 to the present). The following sources weresearched online through the Dialog database: America: History andLife (1964 to the present), Ara jinciaujaanititEitaah (1980 to thepresent), Dissertation Abstracts Online (1861 to the present),Historical Abstracts (1973 to the present), Information ScienceAbstracts (1966 to the present), Legal Resource Index (1980 to thepresent), LISA (1969 to the present), Magazine Index (1959 to 1970;1973 to the present), MLA Bibliography (1966 to the present),Newsearch (1990), PAIS International (1976 to the present),Philosopher's Index (1940 to the present), Population Bibliography(1966 to the present), R e lig ion Index (1975 to the present), SocialScisearch, (1972 to the present), and 5ocio1ogical Abstracts (1963 tothe present). The following indexes were searched on CD-ROM: ERIC(1966 to the present), PsychLit (1974 to the present), and UMIPeriodical Abstracts (1986 to the present).The results of these searches are divided into two maincategories: books and articles that deal with modern occultism, and711
8articles that discuss publishing trends, library resources, andcensorship in the area of the occult. It would be pointless to attempt,within the short scope of this paper, to discuss every book, article, orchapter dealing with encyclopedias. The criteria used for reviewingencyclopedias is well known.Margot Adler's classic work, Drzyja2 LQyaLuag ivis2Qn, 1 is themost complete and comprehensive work ever written on modernoccultism, particularly witchcraft. Various chapters discuss thehistory of the craft, reasons why people become witches, and thebeliefs and practices of various groups, as well as characteristics ofthe movement as a whole. The 1986 edition was particularly usefulto this study because of the inclusion of a survey done by the authorin 1985. While there is no copy of the actual questionnaire included,Adler did note her methods of data collection. Four-hundred andfifty copies were handed out at three different pagan festivals; ofthese, one-hundred and ninety-five were returned by the cutoffdate. Responses were elicited in several areas, including religiousupbringing, occupation, drug use, publicity and secrecy in the craft,and influences in choosing paganism. In this last category, twentyseven percent indicated that "reading books" was their main reason.A study related to Adler's is "An Empirical Study of WiccanReligion in Postindustrial Society." 2 This research, published in 1986,was conducted by mailing questionnaires to editors of seventy-sixIMargot Adler, Drawine Down the Moon: Witches. Druids. GoddessWorshippers. and Other Paeans in America Today Revised and ExpandedEdition (Boston: Beacon Press, 1986), 22.2R. George Kirkpatrick, Rich Rainey, and Kathryn Rubi, "An EmpiricaStudy of Wiccan Religion in Postindustrial Society," Free Inauiry in CreativeSocioloey 14 (May 1986): 33-38.
9witchcraft and occult journals and to leaders of two-hundred andsixty occult churches listed in two directories. The authors note:"Snowball sampling expanded the population to include both publicand private Witches who are independent or members of a coven."3The results are important in that they show general demographicbreakdowns of witches and test their social psychological variablesaccording to the California F-scale, which is used to test personalqualities such as independence, authoritativeness, and need foracceptance. They indicate that witches are faii-ly evenly distributedbetween rural and urban areas and that they are typically highlyeducated and from prestigious occupations.Perhaps the best scholarly overview of occultism is MaccelloTruzzi's "Towards a Sociology of the Occult: Notes on ModernWitchcraft."4 While dealing largely with witchcraft, Truzzi gives ageneral overview of occultism, dividing it into three types. The firsttype of occultism deals with unexplained or anomalous phenomena,such as sea monsters or UFOs. The second type of occultism is thatwhich is concerned with a paranormal relationship betweenunconnected events. The most typical example of this type is magic:someone believes that a certain spell or ritual will influence someoccurrence at a distance. The third type of occultism is that at whichcomplex occult theories are developed. At this level, occultism isalmost indistinguishable from mysticism and esotericism. Occult3Ibid., 334Marcello Truzzi, "Towards a Sociology of the Occult: Notes on ModernWitchcraft," in Religjala MayrjagalljnCD111&11112QUEY Alilelical ed. Irving I.2c.etsky and Mark P. Leone (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1974):(!3
10philosophies such as Theosophy exist at this level.The literature also indicates that occultists are increasinglytaking their right to freedom very seriously. Recently, practitionershave fought, and won, religious discrimination cases involving theU.S. Air Force,5 a Toronto college,6 and the Salvation Army.7Furthermore, in a separate case, the Supreme Court of Georgia ruledthat one group of occultists was to be granted legal, tax exemptstatus.8 Not everyone is equally happy about these occurrences, asDaniel Jussim indicates in his article "An Attack on Witchcraft (Bill toRepeal Tax Exempt Status of Covens)."9Literature of the library and book publishing world hasincluded several articles concerning the occult; these articles,however, were written from a popular, not a research, perspective.Nonetheless, they indicate trends that are important to this study."Information Science and the PSI Phenomenon" is the name ofan article by Emil H. Levine. Psi is a term used by parapsychologiststo refer to psychic powers. Levine argues for the importance ofstudying PSI phenomena, "While the PSI phenomenon will likelyremain controversial for some time, it is a potential method oftransferring information. As such, it should be an area of continuing5Paul Clancy, "Witch Ways O.K. by Air Force," USA Today, 25 April 1989,Sec. A, p. 2.6"Insights," benefits Canada (January/February 1988): 5.7"Salvation Army To Pay Fired 'Witch,- Times Picayune, 28 April 1989,Sec. B, p.6.8"Witches Tax Break," ,Christian Century 99 (June 9, 1982): 689.9Daniel Jussim, "An Attack on Witchcraft (Bill to Repeal Tax ExemptStatus of Covens)," Macleans 98 (November 25, 1985): 64.14
11interest to the information scientist."10Georgess McHargue argues in her article, "A Ride across theMystic Bridge, or, Occult Books: What, Why, and Who Needs Them,""that there is, indeed, an occult explosion and that librarians havebeen largely unresponsive in meeting public demands. She writes,"The field in general has been held in such low esteem that tools ofresearch such as specialized bibliographies, indexes, and librarycollections are few or nonexistent."12In "Why Are Librarians Scared of the Occult,"13 author BobDuckett states, "A book on magic is treated in the same way as oneon How to poison or Forgery for beginners," 1 4 and then goes on todiscuss how the occult has grown in popularity on the recent years,but is still viewed negatively by many librarians. He concludes: "Theboom in the occult is part of a whole new sub-culture that librariansare not recognizing."15"Occultism and Parapsychology: An Annotated Bibliography ofSelected Serials,"16 is relevant to this study, not so much for the titlesit offers, but for information about trends in publishing, librarians'10Emil H. Levine, "Information Science and the PSI Phenomenon,"Bulletin of the American Societzlar lialarjaalion agianat, 1 1 (June/July 1985):32.11Georgess McHargue, "A Ride Across the Mystic Bridge, or, OccultBooks: What, Why, and Who Needs Them," Lijusiry jsuunal 98 (May 15, 1973):1635-1640.12Ibid., 1640.13Bob Duckett, "Why Are Librarians Scared of the Occult AssistantLibrarian 67 (May 1974): 76-78.14Ibid., 77.15Ibid., 78.16George R. Jaramillo, "Occultism and Parapsychology: An AnnotatedBibliography of Selected Serials The Serials Librarian 4 (Summer 1980): 417426.15
12responses, and possible reasons for theses responses (or lack ofthem). First, with finite serials budgets, librarians may have otherpriorities; second, librarians may have personal biases that maymake them not want to choose these serials; and third, librariansmay find it difficult to justify these purchases to patrons.Censorship of occult books appears to be a growing problem.A report titled "Censorship Continues Unabated; Extremists AdoptMainstream Tactics"17 states that attacks on intellectual freedomhave grown, and that the focus is now on charges of Satanism andthe occult. "Witches, Demons, Ghosts, and Werewolves.in OurSchools,"18 discusses the attempts of citizens to ban materials frompublic schools saying, "Recently, many efforts to remove books andother educational materials from public school libraries andclassrooms have focused on the alleged promotion of witchcraft andthe occult in these materials."19Ciiarges such as these have also been levelled at librarieselsewhere. "Trustees Remove Witchcraft Book from KentuckyLibrary,"2 "Citizens Challenge Occult Books, Blast School LibraryStandards,"21 and "Occult Books Removed from W.Va. SchoolLibrary"22 deal with censorship cases,
indexing and abstracting vehicles for the total of human knowledge. Even though certain constraints make it impossible for general encyclopedias to include the entire scope and breadth of human thought, it is generally assumed that a good encyclopedia will present that which it does include in a fair and objective manner. In
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