Magic is alive in modern life and in psychoanalysis, and its pull extends across culture, science, and therapy.
This essay argues that a revival of magical thinking is underway among educated readers and within professional circles. It surveys how magic sits beside science, religion, and everyday life, challenging the assumption that modernity has left magical beliefs behind.
The author traces the links between magic and science, showing how the two can blend in surprising ways. From pharmacotherapy to organ transplants, and from horoscope programs to casino fantasies, magical thinking crops up in many forms. He also notes the growing presence of magic in popular media and lay culture, including movies and television.
- How magic and science interact in contemporary culture and medicine
- Everyday examples of magical thinking in technology, media, and entertainment
- A psychoanalytic lens on why magical beliefs persist and reappear
- The idea that cultural shifts can revive interest in magical explanations
Ideal for readers interested in psychology, psychoanalysis, and cultural studies of belief systems.