Decline of Magic

A research topic

China

~ 500BCE

• 《孫子兵法》：「故明君賢將，所以動而勝人，成功出于眾者，先知也；先知者，不可取于鬼神，不可象于事，不可驗于度；必取于人，知敵之情者也。
• 樊遲問知。子曰：「務民之義，敬鬼神而遠之，可謂知矣。」
• 季路問事鬼神。子曰：「未能事人，焉能事鬼？」敢問死。曰：「未知生，焉知死？」

Europe

• ~400BCE Socrates
• Oracle of Delphi
  • Note that nothing practiced by the Oracle is not found in modern times. The fact that they had a centralized institution for “oracles” indicate a weakening of magic already.
• Homer epics - how much do gods meddle?

India

• ~500BCE Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

Americas??