Magic and superstitions
are not real, they do not exist.
However their influence seems
to be very real. Curious…
~
This is similar to
imaginary numbers.
The square root of minus
one does not exist. Yet components of complex numbers in the imaginary
realm have a measurable influence on the real number component of a complex number
in many ordinary numerical calculations,
~
Likewise, magic, spells,
incantations, amulets, icons, fortunes, astrology, tarot, numerology, signs,
blessings, e.s.p. and superstitions do not exist. They are not real. They are not
measurable, repeatable, or statistically verifiable.
And yet we spend
millions of dollars and thousands of hours every year pursuing these chimera
and fantasies. This represents a tremendous portion of human
endeavor that could possibly be spent in other ways, but isn't.
Therefore, the influence of magical and superstitious thought is
inarguably real, just by consideration of the other activities it prevents from
taking place and the amount of time and money spent.
~
If the influence is real -- then magic and superstition itself, must in some sense be real.
Copyright©2015
William Schaeffer
This discussion might be called the "Santa Claus argument."
ReplyDeleteWe all KNOW that Santa Claus isn't "real." At the same time, we are all very familiar with a Santa Claus character that has regular and identifiable personality characteristics. We see his image reproduced countless times and see reenactments of famous events in his life. We jokingly pretend that he is alive and active, even though we know his existence is just a fiction.