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Why science doesn't understand the language of magic?
Question Date: 2013-05-23
Answer 1:

That's a great question. I am not quite certain what you mean by the language of magic, but I will do my best to answer your question.

Magic is a complicated concept, because it can been seen as a cultural system to understand and predict the unknown and possibly, the unknowable. Sometimes, western scientific ideas or concepts can be in conflict with ways of knowing that might be considered under the auspices of magic, for example, certain medicinal cures. However, many aspects of western scientific knowledge (e.g. chemicals now used as medicines) that are currently recognized as facts or accepted practices stemmed from a tradition of alchemy, which would be considered belief in magic by modern western standards.

The western scientific tradition is based on the concept of being able to generate and investigate testable (falsifiable) hypotheses. In contrast, magic hinges on the notion that a person (or entity) has magical power can produce a desired effect on others and/or natural or social processes through the use of rituals, ceremony, spells, or other techniques. Natural processes or natural states can in themselves also be considered magic by certain groups (e.g. astrological thinking). Although magic and science are different, these knowledge systems can draw from each other (e.g. like religion and mythology).



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