Note that the number of spacetime points at which "I" have looked in a mirror is, relatively speaking, very few. Indeed, most mirrors are not checked most of the time!
This issue is not primarily about the nature of reality. It is also about why "I" am SURE of something. For example, is it a matter of cognitive economy -- performing a probability calculation every time I saw a mirror [How likely is this one to be "magic"?] would be hopelessly laborious? Or is it a matter of social pressure -- "I" am sure that mirrors are not magic because "I" have never met anyone seriously claiming they are outside stories? Or is it that "I" have faith in modern science -- even though "I" know well that scientific theories are always liable to counter-example and are regularly discarded? Or??
A colleague has complained (off line) that this question is merely prompted by the current UK fashion of interest in magic (e.g. the ongoing BBC drama series “Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell"). That is true, but nevertheless my question raises, I suggest, a range of important scientific and other issues that that can only benefit from (cross-cultural) discussion on RG.
Incidentally, one wonders WHY magic is currently fashionable in the UK – but that question is political and does not belong here…
Best regards to all
Jim
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Psychology