Why does Magic work?

1
Why does Magic work?

• Logic/Science The juxtaposition of two events
  does not necessarily imply causality.
• Ex Breaking a mirror or a black cat crossing
  ones path does not necessarily equate with bad
  luck. If believe bad luck will occur, will be
  hypersensitive to even the most minute
  manifestation. Bad luck is then easily
  recognized and attributed to the offending
  initial event/object.

2
Why does Magic work?

• Magic appears to work, because the actions
  requested will often occur naturally
• Ex Magic to bring rain after the dry season, to
  enable crops to grow. Aztec practice of feeding
  the sun so it wont expire.

3
Why does Magic work?

• Magic works because of a human psychological
  disposition towards a positive result.
• Ex Bone Pointing among the Australian
  Aborigines. (relatives also do not feed/care for
  the afflicted)
• Ex The Secret, mind over matter

4
Ethnographic Example

• Trobriand Islands (Malinowski)
• Highest level of knowledge includes rain and
  garden magic
• Only a few have this knowledge and are highly
  revered in the community
• Magic is learned through family members, but is
  not free.
• The inquirer must present gifts over time to gain
  this knowledge. The giver will generally not
  pass on all the info at once and may die before
  all magical knowledge is passed on. In this
  case, other religious specialists from nearby
  islands to the South may be monetarily persuaded
  to teach.
• Garden magic and ritual
• A Spell is used an oral text that is transmitted
  without change from generation to generation
• The spell must be recited exactly, with the
  correct phrasing, wording, pausing, etc. One
  slip-up could invalidate the magic.
• The magic compels the supernatural to bend to the
  persons wishes, and success is seen as
  inevitable