We know magic isn't real, so why does it still fascinate us?

    Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities

    Description

    Magic is the idea that the natural world is supernatural. Spirits, beings, and entities can be manipulated through divination and ritual, for good, and for evil. 

    Both magic and religion involve the supernatural. But magic offered rewards to be seen in this life, rather than the next. 

    In some places and traditions around the world, magical thinking continues. But in the west, it began to dissipate with monotheistic religions. Miracles came from God, not the magic of wizards and witches. 

    Though in the 21st century, of course, miracles and magic are seen as obsolete.

    Magic is now performance art, harmless entertainment from Penn and Teller to Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield to Harry Houdini.  

    That’s the simple story, but, is that all there is? Magic, past and present, is stranger, richer and more complex than you imagine. Our God Forbid panel with the evidence to prove it are:

    Dr David FinkelsteinAssociate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Chicago, and he’s also a magician.

    Dr Rachel Yuen-Collingridge teaches magic through the ages, and she’s an ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer in History at Macquarie University. 

    Harry Milasone of Australia's best sleight of hand magicians –  so much so that casinos hire him to catch cheats. And to see him perform, you must first sign a non-disclosure agreement. You can find out more about his show here: The Unfair Advantage

    Period6 Oct 2023

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