How science is like magic
by Greg Krehbiel on 21 December 2012
We’re often told that science is the rejection and antithesis of magic. In some respects that’s true. But it’s not true in all respects.
There’s a very interesting post on the First Things blog called Yes, Lewis Compared Modern Science to Demonology. Here’s the key quote.
There is something which unites magic and applied science while separating both from the wisdom of earlier ages. For the wise men of old the cardinal problem had been how to conform the soul to reality, and the solution had been knowledge, self-discipline, and virtue. For magic and applied science alike the problem is how to subdue reality to the wishes of men: the solution is a technique….
There are obvious differences between science and magic, but this is an oft-overlooked similarity.
-- 2012-12-21 » Greg Krehbiel
