The book explores how specific cultural immune systems, such as ritual, law, and education, function to align individuals with the dominant cultural style of their social group. Sørensen examines how these systems regulate interactions across various levels of social complexity, highlighting their role in maintaining cultural cohesion and identity.
Focusing on cognitive processes, the author introduces a novel theory of magical actions, drawing from recent cognitive science research. By examining classical ethnographic cases, the book reveals how these cognitive insights can clarify the appearance of magical rituals and illuminate the relationship between magic and the development of institutionalized religion. This exploration offers a fresh perspective on the significance of magic within cultural and religious contexts.