The Sixth Sense Reader

An academic volume coming broadly under the heading of cultural studies, but which contains some fascinating material. As a culture, we are very accustomed to referring to the five senses, while other cultures, such as the bushmen, have very different frameworks. An important concept introduced is that of the sensorium, a term that crosses the divide between mind and body, cognition and sensation. In what respect is the sense of direction a sense? And should balance be regarded as a distinctive sense? The essays range across istorical and cross-cultural investigations, including interesting discussions of the Mesmer and Swedenborg as well as a contribution by Rupert Sheldrake on the sense of being stared at and a classic essay by Mircea Eliade on sense experience and mystical experience and another on Zulu dreamscapes. All this comes under the new heading of sensual culture.