Janja Lalich
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520231948
- eISBN:
- 9780520937512
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520231948.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religious Studies
Heaven's Gate, a secretive group of celibate “monks” awaiting pickup by a UFO, captured intense public attention in 1997 when its members committed collective suicide. As a way of understanding such ...
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Heaven's Gate, a secretive group of celibate “monks” awaiting pickup by a UFO, captured intense public attention in 1997 when its members committed collective suicide. As a way of understanding such perplexing events, many have seen those who join cults as needy, lost souls, unable to think for themselves. This book, which looks at the cult phenomenon, dispels such simple formulations by explaining how normal, intelligent people can give up years of their lives—and sometimes their very lives—to groups and beliefs that appear bizarre and irrational. Looking closely at Heaven's Gate and at the Democratic Workers Party, a radical political group of the 1970s and 1980s, the author gives an insider's look at these two cults and advances a new theoretical framework of those who join such groups. She includes in-depth interviews with cult devotees as well as reflections gained from her own experience as a high-ranking member of the Democratic Workers Party. Incorporating classical sociological concepts such as “charisma” and “commitment” with more recent work on the social psychology of influence and control, the author develops a new approach for understanding how charismatic cult leaders are able to dominate their devotees. She shows how members are led into a state of “bounded choice,” in which they make seemingly irrational decisions within a context that makes perfect sense to them and is, in fact, consistent with their highest aspirations. The book also addresses the mentality of those true believers who take extreme or violent measures in the name of a cause.Less
Heaven's Gate, a secretive group of celibate “monks” awaiting pickup by a UFO, captured intense public attention in 1997 when its members committed collective suicide. As a way of understanding such perplexing events, many have seen those who join cults as needy, lost souls, unable to think for themselves. This book, which looks at the cult phenomenon, dispels such simple formulations by explaining how normal, intelligent people can give up years of their lives—and sometimes their very lives—to groups and beliefs that appear bizarre and irrational. Looking closely at Heaven's Gate and at the Democratic Workers Party, a radical political group of the 1970s and 1980s, the author gives an insider's look at these two cults and advances a new theoretical framework of those who join such groups. She includes in-depth interviews with cult devotees as well as reflections gained from her own experience as a high-ranking member of the Democratic Workers Party. Incorporating classical sociological concepts such as “charisma” and “commitment” with more recent work on the social psychology of influence and control, the author develops a new approach for understanding how charismatic cult leaders are able to dominate their devotees. She shows how members are led into a state of “bounded choice,” in which they make seemingly irrational decisions within a context that makes perfect sense to them and is, in fact, consistent with their highest aspirations. The book also addresses the mentality of those true believers who take extreme or violent measures in the name of a cause.
Torbjörn Tännsjö
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- June 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780190225575
- eISBN:
- 9780190225605
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190225575.003.0006
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, General
The focus of this chapter is the sensitive subject of suicide. This chapter brings to light the importance of cultural variations in forming opinions on suicide, reminding us to not rely on gut ...
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The focus of this chapter is the sensitive subject of suicide. This chapter brings to light the importance of cultural variations in forming opinions on suicide, reminding us to not rely on gut feelings and, instead, attempt to move beyond our own narrow cultural horizon. However, while the startling cultural differences on the view of suicide are rather clear, interpreting them is far from easy. As with other topics, our three theories are again brought forth and applied. According to deontology, suicide is wrong, period. According to the moral rights theory, suicide is right if it is voluntary. According to utilitarianism, both positive and negative external effects must be taken into account. It is then argued that utilitarianism can best explain our considered intuitions about suicide.Less
The focus of this chapter is the sensitive subject of suicide. This chapter brings to light the importance of cultural variations in forming opinions on suicide, reminding us to not rely on gut feelings and, instead, attempt to move beyond our own narrow cultural horizon. However, while the startling cultural differences on the view of suicide are rather clear, interpreting them is far from easy. As with other topics, our three theories are again brought forth and applied. According to deontology, suicide is wrong, period. According to the moral rights theory, suicide is right if it is voluntary. According to utilitarianism, both positive and negative external effects must be taken into account. It is then argued that utilitarianism can best explain our considered intuitions about suicide.
