Unsure if Prof. Tim is agreeing here or being derisive. Still, I will
follow up.
Mystical implies relativity...distinctions between things (ideas, etc.) are
dissolved and a "feeling" as to something's relevance is reasoned
inductively. "Magical" (the way I am using the term) refers to ordered
levels of meaning; thereby, symbolic understanding at more concise levels
allows for manipulating certain symbolic keys (causes) and having
far-reaching effects.
I only chose the term magical, however, to contrast it from the term
mystical--which wade used. I think that prejudice against the term
"magical" makes this argument weak...though I was more commenting on Wade's
post than presenting an argument.
If in place of "magical" one uses the term "logical" (as in the *logical*
progression of ideas as deduced by following-up the "meaning" of the terms
used...), then the argument holds more sway. Notwithstanding, my main point
was not that I believe words (like numbers) can be manipulated to yield a
logical "sum" of their ideas (which I take to be a given); but, that
honoring the person credited with the "invention" of an idea complicates the
progression of the idea by including the idiosyncrasies of human error into
a comparatively "pure" formula for "truth".
Brett
ps for more on "magic" see:
http://www.tctc.com/~unameit/magic.html
http://members.tripod.com/~Brettman35/index.html
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