Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 3 by Charles Mackay

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Author Mackay, Charles, 1814-1889
Title Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 3
Credits Produced by An Anonymous Project Gutenberg Volunteer and David Widger
Summary "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 3" by Charles Mackay is a historical account written during the mid-19th century. The book delves into the bizarre and often absurd beliefs and irrationalities that have captivated humanity throughout history, particularly focusing on the delusions associated with alchemy, fortune-telling, and other esoteric practices. The opening of this volume introduces the concept of discontent as a driving force behind the flawed pursuits of people seeking remedies for life's certainties, such as death and ignorance of the future. Mackay sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of historical figures and their pursuits of the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life. The narrative begins by listing various alchemists and their misguided beliefs, accompanied by tales of their relentless quests and the societal implications of their pursuits. Through these accounts, Mackay emphasizes that the folly of past generations should serve as an enlightening lesson for the present, revealing the strange and often humorous fabrications of the human mind in its search for meaning and fulfillment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class AZ: General Works: History of scholarship and learning, The humanities
Subject Social psychology
Subject Swindlers and swindling
Subject Impostors and imposture
Subject Alchemy
Subject Delusions
Subject Occultism -- Early works to 1900
Subject Investments -- Psychological aspects
Subject Stock exchanges -- Psychological aspects
Subject Hallucinations and illusions
Subject Common fallacies
Category Text
EBook-No. 884
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Feb 5, 2013
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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