Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Discussion Questions

Derek Pepiak:dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

How have your views on magic, science, and religion changed between January and now?
How do you account for the fact that some of the modern beliefs of magic differ from the ancient views (for example, what we think of as a vampire and what was considered a vampire in the ancient world)?
Why do you think some of the ancient practices that were considered magic are still present in today's world? What do these practices offer that has allowed them to stand the test of time?

Zach harrelson:zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

How much have our discussions been affected by our modern conceptions of magic, religion and science, which are probably very different from ancient views on these three ideas?
How is the study of ancient magic important to a student in today's modern American society?
How reliable is any of the evidence, literary, archaeological or epigraphical, used to study ancient magic? Aren't all of these types of evidence vulnerable to misinterpretation?

Bob Fraser:rfraser@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

1. Where has magic gone today? Does anyone practice magic in a way other than David Copperfield, I mean here in the western culture?
2. It seems as though society is really "open" to all sorts of ideas and beliefs right now as opposed to other times in history when people were killed for what they believed and practiced. Why does it feel as though people are not so focused on their own religious beliefs? Since "everything" is almost acceptable, it feels as though people just don't care that much about what they believe.
3. Do you think there will ever be a time in the near future where certain practices(cults, religion, etc) will be outlawed and the government will tightly moniter the religious practices of the U. S.?

1. What are the modes of transportation by which ancient culture, particularly that of religion and magic, came to the modern world?
2. What will humans, 2000-3000 years from now, see in our religion and culture? How will thier view compare to a) our view of ancient culture and b) the article on the Nacirema?
3. What can be gained by studying "magic and the supernatural in the ancient world"? What have we learned about ourselves, our culture, and life in general?

What's the future of religion and magic in the world as science grows ever more present in our lives?
2. Are there any real cycles that we can trace in the ups and downs in Magic, science, and religion?
3. Can we answer the question of whether or not magic, science, and religion can exist without necessarily disproving or pushing one another down or out of society?

Nick Backer: nbacker@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

Are the terms assigned to specefic roles in ancient texts defined according to the translator's view toward the role or a set outline of definitions?
I would like to see if anyone in the class feels they can differentiate between commonly accepted religions and those involving magic/the supernatural. I think I am more confused than ever because all the info surveyed over the semester which, in my opinion, legitimizes those groups and practices the western world scorns.
Has the information and readings over the semester allowed anyone to accept those religions involving magic and supernatural contact, or have our traditional skepticisms remained?