Formula for Magical Thinking: Understanding the Roots of Belief in Magic

I propose a formula for a belief in magic evolving in a society, race, or species.

In older times, frustration wasn’t just an emotional inconvenience—it was existential. If you couldn't make sense of a bad harvest, an illness, or a sudden disaster, magical thinking could offer comfort or even a survival advantage by reinforcing communal rituals and beliefs.

Magical thinking in the context of religion refers to the belief that one's thoughts, words, or actions can directly influence events in the physical world, often in ways that defy the laws of nature. In religious contexts, it can manifest as the idea that rituals, prayers, or specific behaviors can bring about desired outcomes, such as healing, protection, or prosperity, without the need for logical cause and effect. This type of thinking may be seen in belief systems where individuals think they can control divine forces or supernatural entities by performing certain actions, following rituals, or holding specific beliefs, often relying on faith rather than evidence.

Indeed, magical thinking can be a part of religious beliefs. In many religions, there are practices or rituals that involve a sense of control over events or outcomes through prayer, offerings, or other sacred acts. For example, a person may pray for a specific outcome, believing that the prayer itself can invoke divine intervention or change the course of events. While this might seem similar to magical thinking, in the context of religion, it's often rooted in faith in a higher power or divine being rather than just believing in the power of the individual’s actions alone. The difference lies in the belief that the outcome is ultimately under the will or influence of a divine force, rather than being purely a matter of the individual's will or effort.

Today, are we so occupied with modern distractions—entertainment, social media, work, and obligations—that we don’t have the same kind of prolonged, unstructured time to dwell on frustration in the same way? When frustration does arise, it’s often channeled into quick fixes: venting online, consuming content, or indulging in distractions. And with imagination constantly stimulated by media, games, and digital interactions, it may be less likely to produce grand mythologies or magical systems the way it did in the past.

Where M represents the degree of magical belief, T is the amount of free time available for contemplation (as in slower-moving societies throughout history), F is frustration with life's inevitabilities, and I is imagination and creativity. The presence of R (rational or scientific influence) in the denominator accounts for the moderating effect of education, skepticism, and empirical understanding, which can reduce magical belief even when T, F, and I are high.

How This Reflects Modern Trends:

• In pre-modern societies, R was low, so even moderate values of T, F, and I led to strong magical beliefs.
• In today’s fast-paced world, T is lower, and F may be redirected into distractions, but I remains high. However, R (scientific influence) has also increased, suppressing M somewhat.
• Where F is still high (e.g., economic distress, personal crises), magical thinking persists, especially in areas where R is weaker (less education, distrust in science).

As to a name that reflects its purpose and conceptual foundation. Here are some possibilities:

1. The Belief Genesis Formula (BGF)

• Emphasizes how belief in magic arises from certain conditions.

2. The Magical Cognition Equation (MCE)

• Focuses on how cognitive factors shape magical thinking.

3. The Mysticism Propensity Model (MPM)

• Suggests a model for why people are drawn to mystical or magical beliefs.

4. The TFI-R Model of Magical Belief

• Uses the core components (T, F, I, and R) as part of the name, similar to other scientific models.

5. The Rational-Mythic Balance Equation (RMBE)

• Highlights the interplay between rationality and myth-making.

I kind of like BGF...

Compiled with aid of ChatGPT