Gunnerkrigg Court 8: Thrown for a Loup

[halfeye]

When you go down that route it leads to defining magic out of existence, rather like Zimmy is doing. If magic is something that follows the natural laws of the universe (even if they are not "real world" laws), then what is it other than a different form of science? A thousand years ago, electricity was magic.

What exactly IS the objective definition of magic? I'm not sure there is one.

To me, describing magic as "supernatural feats not performable in the real world" is the simplest and most flexible definition to start with. You can sub-divide and exclude things from there, like mutant and superhero powers. Ultimately, what magic is will depend on what work of fiction you are discussing. You still have to have somewhere to start if you're going to try and compare Gandalf to Dr. Strange.

Gandalf isn't Dr Strange and/or Merlin?