Alchemy/Occultism/Religions
Conspiracy theories/History -- Errors, inventions, etc.
Crowds/Persons
Folklore/Manners and customs/Civilisation
Hallucinations and illusions/Subconsciousness/Psychology
History -- Errors, inventions, etc.
Occultism/Religions
Psychology
Witchcraft/Occultism/Religions
"Extraordinary Popular Delusions, and the Madness of Crowds" by Charles Mackay explores several key themes and topics that can help draw connections to other books 【1】. These include:
- **Financial Bubbles and Manias:** The book delves into historical instances of economic irrationality, such as the Mississippi Scheme and the South-Sea Bubble 【2】.
- **Superstitions and Popular Delusions:** It examines widespread irrational beliefs and practices 【1】.
- **Folly of Human Behavior and Mass Hysteria:** A central theme is the irrationality that can grip large groups of people 【1】.
- **Irrational Behaviors and Beliefs:** The book explores how societies can be overtaken by illogical actions and convictions, from financial bubbles to religious manias 【3】.
- **Greed and Irrationality:** It highlights the role of these human traits in collective delusions 【4】.
- **Herd Mentality:** The concept of individuals following the crowd, often to their detriment, is a significant topic 【5】.
- **Societal Madness and Delusion:** The overarching idea of entire societies succumbing to periods of widespread unreason, particularly around financial schemes 【6】.