On 11 Mar 98 -itlon at 5:14 -itlon, Gary Kleppe said-itlon:

"The Reverend Prez" <cannady@magiccarpet.com> wrote:

On  6 Mar 98 -itlon at 2:59 -itlon, Gary Kleppe said-itlon:

People, this is one of the silliest threads I've seen on FFML -- and
that's saying something.

Quite; still in want for a *serious* thread. ;)

Yes, we are; and you're not helping. :P

Nevertheless, Alandra's original question did not hinge on the validity
of a single concept of magic (in fanfics) as opposed to anothers; instead, 
the discussion centered around deriving parameters that a (opinion) 
believable system of magic can structure itself around.

Most of us, I think, are of the opinion that magic probably does not
exist in the real world. What then does "believable system of magic"
mean? Believable to whom?

First of all, to assert that "magic" doesn't exists means to assume
that technology beyond the human capacity to understand doesn't
exist as well.  If the two are truly indistinguishable, then there is no 
logical basis to assume one or the other (higher science or magic) is the 
only plausible explanation in the absence of evidence completely invalidates 
this point.

Also, since we don't have any generally recognized authorities on the
subject, and there have been no successful experiments of record to tell
us how magic works (if it does), how could a debate on the nature of
magic ever be settled? How can it even advance beyond "I think this!"
and "Oh yeah? Well, I think this!" And if it can't, then **what's the
point?!?**

The scientific nature of magic cannot be settled considering by definition, 
there is no scientific approach to it.  How would *you* apply the
scientific method to magic?  Anything proven to exist within the realm of 
scientific understanding (according to the physical laws of the universe) is 
subsequently removed from the magic/high-technology obscurity and enters the 
realm of human knowledge.  Consequently, while it is true that magic CAN 
exist, it can only do so as long as it remains perpetually beyond the human 
capacity to understand it.

Ultimately, magic is a literary term.  Sometime this fall, after I'm set up 
for my freshman year at Rensselaer, I intend to post the first chapter of an 
original fantasy work drawing from a variety of anime influences.  One of the 
ongoing debates in the AMDG centers around various arguments on how to 
feature magic in this story.  Consequently, it seemed appropiate to approach 
the question of magic from a logical perspective; as such, the story will 
embody a "believable" feel to an inherently incredible literary tool.

-The Reverend Prez
*  *  *

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"The Badass Reverend Prez"    |  Author of Robotech:
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