The reading itself explains how religion and science can work together seamlessly. While in our country there always seems to be a battle raging between the two, very few people take the time to realize that both are valid.
Those who get solely behind science do so because it proves things. With it, there is a physical evidence behind everything not labeled a theory, many processes are explained through it, etc. However, much is left unexplained. People strive to explain the unexplainable through religion. This diminishes the need for further research because a certain outcome could be "God's will." This is why, in our country specifically, those who have faith in religion are looked at as ignorant. It should not be that way though. There are plenty of things we may never explain such as the ever-expanding universe, why we're here, and how everything came to be. Since science cannot currently explain such ideas, this makes a valid argument for religion. Many of the great scientists believed in God and science and understood how both could serve important roles in the life of a person.
Both religion and science have their place in society. Obviously, you cannot use one to explain the other but this only further proves why they're both necessary.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Separation of science and magic
In Malinowski's description of the Trobiband islander's gardening and agriculture he explains the difference between magic and science to them. The islanders have a clear knowledge of the natural course of growth, pests, weeding, and all other natural occurrences one must know in order to properly farm. Then there are also the "unaccountable and adverse influences" and "unearned" streaks of "fortunate coincidence". So as not to remain helpless in the face of these unknowns and chance occurrences, the islanders employ specific rituals and magic. They use both magic and science- with no confusions that one is the same as the other- in order to ensure the best crops. The article also goes on to explain the same distinctions in canoe building.
Rationality, I don't believe, suggests a lack of faith in magical rites or religion. People who are smart and scientific, can still be religious. There only needs to be a separation between science and magic (similar to the separation of church and state in my opinion). I think most people need to believe in something that will protect them from, or at least explain, all the unknown elements that are still everywhere in our world.
The Luck Dragon is my Homeboy.
There tends to be a notion in the educated mind that reason is the default position of the human brain. In the educated mind, faith is a useless, vestigial concept, one left over from a time when humankind was still vulnerable to the power of the natural world.
In his essays on science and magic, Malinowski provides numerous examples as to how the native Trobrianders integrate the principals of faith and practical reason seamlessly. Whether planting their crops or manufacturing and sailing their canoes, the Trobrianders have an essential, concrete grasp on what is required of them to make these endeavours successful. While at the same time, they maintain a healthy respect and reverence for the divine stresses present in their undertaking. This alone seems to answer the question of whether or not a rational outlook would make for an abandonment of the magical and supernatural.
In The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell illustrates for us the fundamental difference between a native society and a modern society in terms that well inform the topic at hand. In it he talks about how a rational outlook is essential for us, as humans, to operate in the physical world. It is out of this necessity that myth, magic and religion are born. Magic, in this understanding, is simply the exercise of maintain a closeness to the reverences one has for the physical world. Civility, monotheism, conquest and science are products of the modern age and serve as agents to corrupt and separate human beings form the natural world. Myth, magic and ritual are simply the agents humankind use to reconnect and embrace the natural world.
The magical rites of tribal peoples, as Malinowski writes, don't preclude them from work and focused endeavour. Instead they are interwoven into each part of the native's processes and daily lives. Their faith in magical rites is not a reason to forgo the important steps that make them successful, but simply, a way to make those processes more personal and culturally significant.
Lastly, I would bring up the notion that magic and religion are perhaps more closely related than Malinowski would have us consider. He demonstrates how the Trobrianders use reason and mechanics to manufacture their ships yet still perform magic rites while doing so. In this example he states that the islanders know fully that what they are doing will have a particular outcome. If the default position for humankind is to reason and estimate sucess on that reason, why the need for the rites at all? Simply- because the natural world is beyond our ability to control. Consider then, what is the point of magic? It is used to redirect the natural world and its forces in your favor. How is this magic realized? They use it through ritual and language.
In most modern religions there involves a principle of submission. Submission to the will of a higher being or authority, a being or authority we cannot understand or hope to control. A being we are at the constant mercy of. Yet, in every major religion, we are given means to contact that being, as with prayer. We are given means to appease that being, as with rituals like communion. We are given rules for which will allow for a deeper connection to the being, as with commandments. And we are told that the observance of all these things will gain us favor with the being. The only difference between magic and religion in this sense is the immediacy to the individuals participating in it.
In his essays on science and magic, Malinowski provides numerous examples as to how the native Trobrianders integrate the principals of faith and practical reason seamlessly. Whether planting their crops or manufacturing and sailing their canoes, the Trobrianders have an essential, concrete grasp on what is required of them to make these endeavours successful. While at the same time, they maintain a healthy respect and reverence for the divine stresses present in their undertaking. This alone seems to answer the question of whether or not a rational outlook would make for an abandonment of the magical and supernatural.
In The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell illustrates for us the fundamental difference between a native society and a modern society in terms that well inform the topic at hand. In it he talks about how a rational outlook is essential for us, as humans, to operate in the physical world. It is out of this necessity that myth, magic and religion are born. Magic, in this understanding, is simply the exercise of maintain a closeness to the reverences one has for the physical world. Civility, monotheism, conquest and science are products of the modern age and serve as agents to corrupt and separate human beings form the natural world. Myth, magic and ritual are simply the agents humankind use to reconnect and embrace the natural world.
The magical rites of tribal peoples, as Malinowski writes, don't preclude them from work and focused endeavour. Instead they are interwoven into each part of the native's processes and daily lives. Their faith in magical rites is not a reason to forgo the important steps that make them successful, but simply, a way to make those processes more personal and culturally significant.
Lastly, I would bring up the notion that magic and religion are perhaps more closely related than Malinowski would have us consider. He demonstrates how the Trobrianders use reason and mechanics to manufacture their ships yet still perform magic rites while doing so. In this example he states that the islanders know fully that what they are doing will have a particular outcome. If the default position for humankind is to reason and estimate sucess on that reason, why the need for the rites at all? Simply- because the natural world is beyond our ability to control. Consider then, what is the point of magic? It is used to redirect the natural world and its forces in your favor. How is this magic realized? They use it through ritual and language.
In most modern religions there involves a principle of submission. Submission to the will of a higher being or authority, a being or authority we cannot understand or hope to control. A being we are at the constant mercy of. Yet, in every major religion, we are given means to contact that being, as with prayer. We are given means to appease that being, as with rituals like communion. We are given rules for which will allow for a deeper connection to the being, as with commandments. And we are told that the observance of all these things will gain us favor with the being. The only difference between magic and religion in this sense is the immediacy to the individuals participating in it.
Rational Magic
I don't know if you can see through the eyes of fact and science and still believe in things that are not concrete. Maybe it is possible? I guess if you can somehow marry the two and believe in both science and faith then it is possible to go through life believing in both hardcore facts and religion and magic. I guess I can consider myself a person who depends more on science and what can be proven but yet I have a deeply spiritual side. The spiritual side for most people is what they use to explain the unexplainable. Faith and mysticism is the tool of humanity to make sense of the things that our science can not explain. Science has to develop constantly and as a result is much slower than magic and faith. We find much needed comfort in our faith. We ask so many questions and some of them have been answered by science but there are still many more that need to be answered and until then we have magic, faith, and rituals to make sense of the universe we live in.
So I guess that answers my question. You can most definitely believe in both science and magic. Some people choose one or the other but there are some people that need and like both. Science makes things definite and factual. Magic and faith add mystery and awe to our lives. There is room for both I believe.
So I guess that answers my question. You can most definitely believe in both science and magic. Some people choose one or the other but there are some people that need and like both. Science makes things definite and factual. Magic and faith add mystery and awe to our lives. There is room for both I believe.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Maliowhat?
Reading this piece was for one confusing because it was very wordy and for two, the words were absurd and unnecessarily large. Not being an anthropologist made it hard to understand exactly what Malinowski was saying, not to mention his round about way to express what he was saying. His arguments seemed to go in circles, ending up contradicting what he was saying about the differences of magic and religion.
Answering the question, "does a rational outlook to one's surroundings imply the absence of faith in magical rites?" is complicated because people who do not believe in faith might believe in magic which would be rational to people who practice magic, and not to those who practice a religion. I feel as if a religious person who was explaining what religion was to a person who practiced magic, the one who practice magic would reply with, "oh, yeah, we have that in our society and we call it magic."
Is it the same thing? No, I do not think they are the same thing, however they are similar interpretations to a way of believing in how things have come to be and why things happen.
Answering the question, "does a rational outlook to one's surroundings imply the absence of faith in magical rites?" is complicated because people who do not believe in faith might believe in magic which would be rational to people who practice magic, and not to those who practice a religion. I feel as if a religious person who was explaining what religion was to a person who practiced magic, the one who practice magic would reply with, "oh, yeah, we have that in our society and we call it magic."
Is it the same thing? No, I do not think they are the same thing, however they are similar interpretations to a way of believing in how things have come to be and why things happen.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Extra Credit
If anyone wants 25 points of extra credit (if you do a good job), then act as the participant observer at the Election night rally tomorrow night in Grant Park.
You don't have to get into the rally in order to do this since there will probably be people all over downtown rallying.
Just hand me in your notes from the event and then type them up.
See you Wednesday.
You don't have to get into the rally in order to do this since there will probably be people all over downtown rallying.
Just hand me in your notes from the event and then type them up.
See you Wednesday.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Magic, Science and Religion Blog
For this blog, please either answer one or more of these questions or pose your own questions about the reading for this week (Malinowski's "Magic, Science, and Relgion").
How does Malinowski categorize the sacred and profane?
What do you think about his arguments? His definitions?
Narrate Malinowski’s examples of magical and scientific behaviors.
How does Malinowski distinguish between magic and science and between magic and religion?
What is signified by setting apart the sphere of work from the sphere of ritual among the ‘Trobriand Islanders?
Does a rational outlook to one’s surroundings imply the absence of
faith in magical rites?
How does Malinowski categorize the sacred and profane?
What do you think about his arguments? His definitions?
Narrate Malinowski’s examples of magical and scientific behaviors.
How does Malinowski distinguish between magic and science and between magic and religion?
What is signified by setting apart the sphere of work from the sphere of ritual among the ‘Trobriand Islanders?
Does a rational outlook to one’s surroundings imply the absence of
faith in magical rites?
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