Magic Forums
Magick itself despite most hollywood hype and shows, cannot change the genetics, appearance, or inherrent traits of a human being nor animal. It can however offer ways of suggestive behavior, in relation to trance states and hypnosis.
Magick and science have traditionally been viewed as opposing forces, and alchemy or alchemistry if you prefer, was said to combign the two which is why it was reguarded as a higher magick traditionally.
Genetics is a branch of science that alters, and/or studies Genes, DNA or Genetic variation in living organisms. Some well known examples would be gene replication and gene mutation. Where as in magick its more subtle behavioral modifications and such things. A common comparison and probably an accurate one is that where science is heavier on the left, cold, and analytical side of the brain, magick is more in the language of emotion and imagination. or perhaps more importantly, willpower.
So with this comparison, it would be criminal not to bring up the fact that people have debated what is better science or magick. Most peoples argument for science is that we currently live in an age of science. I respectfully disagree, we live in the age of technology. The number of people who are practicing magick now a days i guarantee you will be just as great and probably more so than the scientific genius' out there. Magick and science require great amounts of dicipline to become adept in, and the concepts themselves are thought near impossible to understand in their truest form. On one hand i could sit here and type more paragraphs for each side, or i could simply skip to the point.
If youd prefer i skip to the point, just pass the line below till you see the second line and youll find my conclusion. if youd enjoy the arguments, feel free to read on.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argument one - Age: So what came first, the chicken or the egg? you could all argue that magick has been around for thousands of years, but on the other hand humans have been striving to understand what they experience and see for just as long. If you believe in evolution (which i dont find logical but its your belief) then animals have been having their own science for just as long, like the hawk trying to crack the thick egg, or the wolf devising strategy. Its all a mater of perspective. conclusion to argument one - tie
Argument two - capability: If you talk to any person in magick who understands its limitations, youll find it is actually quite interesting. Magick in and off itself cannot say, fling a fireball or control the elements as hollywood would have you believe, but as i earlier stated, it can modify behavior or influence it to a very logical extent. Science however, with the power of genetics and mutigens, in my opinon, the ability to control human and animal genetics for the better, or create a disease that turns organs to liquid yuck, i say science. conclusion to argument two - Science
Argument three - Requirements and the learning process: Magick seemly comes at a disadvantage due to the fact that sciences are taught at any publick school. But a library can hold just as much information on magick if you know the right book to look for. Educational wise however, science faces a lot less obsticals, but both have the disadvantage of requiring commitment and much research. There are reasonably a larger populus of scientists and mathamaticians who would teach happily, where as magick practicioners tend to be more..... umm.... fickle? conclusion to argument three - Science
Artument four and five - Culture Vs the dangers: Magick has a great cultural history, having existed in nearly every culture imagineable and historical, nobody can even start to argue agains that point. Science however, for the sake of this argument includes such things as the crafts and arts. Music in and of itself is both spiritual and to a degree mathmatical. It all said and done though, this round to magick. The dangers of magick are varied as per peoples beliefs, however the dangers of science can often result in iscolation, a colder world view, or sometimes none of that. However to look at something logically or analitically is to look at it without any emotional response. conclusion to argument four and five - magick, magick.
Basic conclusion - TIe in all areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In conclusion, The best of the two is whatever is right for you. This is probably going to sound like one huge middle finger to people wanting to hear an actual conclusion, but the fact is, my belief isnt the same as yours. the better of the two is for you all to decide.