Do You Believe in Magic?

[CleverNickName]

I wonder how many of us gamers believe in magic, in the okay-for-real-now, this-is-serious sort of way.

Now, I know that there are many different definitions of the word "magic." So to keep the discussion on track (and hopefully avoid the religion boilerplate), I would like us to consider only this one definition of the word for the poll.

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

mag·ic n. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.

So, do you believe in it?

[Semah G Noj]

Nope.

[Dog Moon]

No, but I like to think I keep an open mind. Just because we can't see something or our current instruments cannot detect something, doesn't mean it doesn't necessarily exist. I think it's possible, while unlikely, that perhaps Magic is simply hiding due to fear of people finding out and attempting to exterminate it, experiment on it, or basically be in general harmful to it and those who use it.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if Magic did exist and its existence was slowly or abruptly leaked into everday life. What would happen?

So while I occasionally think it [since I like to write mainly, and ponder how I could use such an idea in a story], I don't believe with a sureness in it nor do I completely dismiss it as being completely preposterous, just in case there's a chance it truly is real.

[Blackrat]

Eh... Cruel question you have there... After long consideration I took Maybe. With all the weird stuff I've witnessed I'd be idiot to say that I don't believe in the possibility of supernatural. *Possibility*, that's the keyword. I can't say I believe in it outright, but I've seen enough to make me wonder, what if... So Maybe.

[Jhaelen]

Originally Posted by CleverNickName

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

mag·ic n. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.

Well, I'm firmly in the 'No' camp.

This 'definition', however, is a bit odd or at least incomplete. What does 'invoking the supernatural' mean?

Does 'supernatural' mean something for which no natural explanation is known? If so, the question gets more tricky because I think there may be a few things which cannot be explained satisfyingly yet.

I do not doubt, though, that a natural explanation for everything exists.

[Shemeska]

Nope.

However if you can demonstrate it in a controlled setting, and can repeat it in the same setting, you could change my mind. And at the same time you'd win a prize from The Amazing Randi.

[Relique du Madde]

I said "maybe" because of quantum uncertainty.

[Kid Charlemagne]

Originally Posted by Relique du Madde

I said "maybe" because of quantum uncertainty.

Does that mean until we let you out of your box, your answer might be "yes" or "no?"

[Blackrat]

Originally Posted by Kid Charlemagne

Does that mean until we let you out of your box, your answer might be "yes" or "no?"

I believe that would actually make it "yes" AND "no" at the same time .

[CleverNickName]

Yes, I know it is a tricky question (and a vague definition, to boot.) English is a strange language sometimes.

I remember reading something recently about this topic...I think it was in our campus newspaper, but I could be wrong. Anyway, it seems that about 20% of the folks surveyed do indeed believe in magic (the supernatural kind, not the sleight-of-hand variety or the popular card game.)

I wondered what kind of results I would get if I polled a group of gamers. We seem to talk about supernatural stuff a lot more frequently than, say, engineering students...

[Umbran]

Originally Posted by CleverNickName

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

mag·ic n. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.

circular definition see "definition, circular". Until such time as "the supernatural" is defined, this is using an undefined term to define another term. That's not getting you very far.

Note that some of the physical laws we now understand were, at one time, considered "supernatural".

[Relique du Madde]

Originally Posted by Kid Charlemagne

Does that mean until we let you out of your box, your answer might be "yes" or "no?"

But that is assuming that I, the box, magic, and my answer to the question if magic exists even exists are mutually defendant on the other's existence. For all I know, if I say "yes" magic might not actually exist, but if I say no might might exist. But what if there's some kind of paradox where I know magic exists but it doesn't?
[/freak out]

Originally Posted by Blackrat

I believe that would actually make it "yes" AND "no" at the same time .

Or it could be neither of the choices at the same time.

[frankthedm]

I know enough about strange things not to laugh at them. While I'll have my doubts about any individual who claims to be able to perform actual magic, I do not discount what is defined as the "supernatural"'s existence nor it's potential influences.

[Reveille]

I believe in miracles. Does that count as a yes?

[Blackrat]

Originally Posted by Reveille

I believe in miracles. Does that count as a yes?

Nah, you've just listened too much Tom Jones . Cheers Bro

[Lord Tirian]

No. Because if I require to believe in it... I doubt it.

Cheers, LT.

[CleverNickName]

Originally Posted by Umbran

circular definition see "definition, circular". Until such time as "the supernatural" is defined, this is using an undefined term to define another term. That's not getting you very far.

Note that some of the physical laws we now understand were, at one time, considered "supernatural".

Hmm...you are absolutely right. As written, calculus would be considered a form of "magic" to someone who never took a math class (since it is an "art" which can be used to predict certain forces of nature. Weather patterns, for example.)

Tell you what: let's narrow the focus a bit, and pick a definition of the word "supernatural" for the purpose of this poll. From Dictionary.com:

su·per·nat·u·ral adj. Of, pertaining to, or being above or beyond what is natural; unexplainable by natural law or phenomena; abnormal.

So let's assume that "supernatural" is something that could never be explained scientifically, even if our knowledge of the physical world were perfect and infinite. Does that help?

[Ranger REG]

Originally Posted by CleverNickName

Hmm...you are absolutely right. As written, calculus would be considered a form of "magic" to someone who never took a math class (since it is an "art" which can be used to predict certain forces of nature. Weather patterns, for example.)

Tell you what: let's narrow the focus a bit, and pick a definition of the word "supernatural" for the purpose of this poll. From Dictionary.com:

su·per·nat·u·ral adj. Of, pertaining to, or being above or beyond what is natural; unexplainable by natural law or phenomena; abnormal.

So let's assume that "supernatural" is something that could never be explained scientifically, even if our knowledge of the physical world were perfect and infinite. Does that help?

Well, it's one thing to explain it. You still need to test it out to prove it is not supernatural.

I've often wonder about ... for lack of a better term ... the human psyche. If one were to be encountered with a supernatural phenomenon, would you try to disbelieve and rationalize what you saw, or would you believe for what it is you saw before you, at the risk of damaging your sanity?

[Orius]

No, I am a complete skeptic WRT the supernatural.

Remember, sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

[Ranger REG]

Originally Posted by Orius

No, I am a complete skeptic WRT the supernatural.

Keep saying that, and you might believe it.