It is only when I encounter serious, unironic magical thinking that I realize I'll never be able to get beyond ironic indulgence in it. I cannot unsee the very obvious and systematic breaks with realism. I'm not a rationalist, but I'm definitely a hardliner realist.
Conversation
Replying to
do you think magical thinking is ever adaptive (ie correct response to the situation)?
3
1
Replying to
Oh definitely. It works and is adaptive, but never for the reasons its sincere believers think it does.
Do you think magical thinking as such has many 'sincere' believers?
It seems to me that most magical thoughts (e.g. "My tripping on that stone is a bad omen for the day") are very loosely held beliefs, more forms of self-signaling.
1
1
Yes there are plenty. John Michael Greer is one (I just tweeted links to some excellent writing by him a few tweets back). He is a literal ordained druid and practitioner.
1
2
Show replies
Replying to
yeah I agree, seems ideal to be able to drift in and out of it (probably subconsciously) as needed


