Reifying Consciousness

Abstract

In this thesis, I examine human interaction with the supernatural, with a focus on its narrative representations. I utilise a biocultural theoretical framework, which draws on evolutionary theory and cognitive science, to explain why humans have been drawn to the supernatural throughout their long process of evolutionary development. I argue that human behaviour of telling and consuming stories about the supernatural, supernatural storytelling, is a result of the process of reifying consciousness, where abstract and emotional aspects of our experience become materialised and woven into a narrative. Supernatural storytelling, I argue, is an adaptive behaviour that co-opts cognitive tendencies, such as magical thinking and agent attribution, to elevate a sense of perceived control and establish a sense of psychological order, thereby reducing anxiety over domains over which humans have no control. I employ this theoretical framework to interpret the role of supernatural elements in narratives. The primary case study of this thesis is J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter universe. I interpret Harry Potter novels and movies to argue that through magic, Rowling reified abstract concepts like good, evil, love, death, and power. Giving them presence within a narrative facilitates understanding, highlighting, and modifying them. Magic then becomes a tool for navigating difficulties and fostering self-empowerment. Contextualising the popularity of the Harry Potter stories, I argue that the representation of magic in the Harry Potter universe reflects the sentiments of the period, specifically the shift towards an individualistic and pragmatic form of spirituality, known as the New Age. I argue that alignment with the New Age is a crucial factor in the global popularity of the Harry Potter universe, alongside the commodification of cultural products, effective marketing strategies, and the use of transmedia storytelling.