What is the difference between magic and psychic powers

By Brian Nettles <Ned_creeper>

Magic and psychic powers are broadly defined topics. While researching these topics I found an abundance of information which I intend to briefly summarize.
Magic is defined as the use of unnatural or superhuman power by a person to try and control human actions and events. People have practiced magic since the early 1600s. There are many topics listed under magic such as magic words. These are used to cast incantations or spells and they are also used to keep demons, spirits, and ghosts away.Another type of magic is the use of magical objects such as plants, rocks and other items. Contagious magic is the belief that after a person has had contact with certain things those things will continue to affect and influence that person. Some people believe an enemy can control or hurt them by obtaining certain body parts such as their hair, nails, teeth and even body wastes. An example of this type of magic is the sticking of pins into a voodoo doll to harm someone. Lastly, there is the type of magic where the magician performs tricks that deceive the human eye.
Psychic powers is the use of the brain or mind. Telekinesis is listed as a type of psychic power in which one can move objects by using their mental powers. Psychokinesis is a fancy way of saying 'mind over matter'. Another type of psychic power is that of psychic healing in which someone is giving a placebo and yet the body still heals itself. Hypnosis is an altered state of conciousness which is considered to be a type of mind power. Some people believe that they can predict the future and read other people's minds and see their thoughts, although their is no known way of proving this.
In conclusion I have listed many characteristics of these two subjects. However, it is up to you to decide the difference. I personally did not believe in psychic powers, but I do believe in a magician's slight of hand. Maybe psychic powers should be listed along with magic since I believe that is mainly what it is.

To submit a comment, click here.

Peter Rutanga <wung32@hotmail.com>

All through the paper I was afraid we weren't going to hear your opinion on the matter at issue. You did give us your opinion at the very end, but it was short. So do you believe that magic has influence on the outside world while pshycic powers only exist in the mind?

Richele Skelton <skelton@emeraldis.com>

I thought the paper was well written, but I actually do believe in psychic powers. I believe that some people are given the gift from a higher power to see the future, and there is no way to prove that it is impossible.

Dowd <rdowd@student.lander.edu>

Interesting paper. I think there is a bit of something mystical in each of us, whether it be magic or psychic, who's to say...

Scott Elingburg <kehoutek@hotmail.com>

I would liked to have heard more of your opinion and not just factual information. I know what I think is the difference between magic and psychic powers, but I would be more interested in what you think. There was a lot of good information here though.

Travis Galloway <hyperdedo@hotmail.com>

Im going to have to be like the others here... The paper was too difinitive and not enough opinion... It was very informative though.. I dont know if I agree with you about magic and psychic powers being all slight of hand, but,,,,,,,,Good work,..,

Fran Sanders <FranSanders@hotmail.com>

I thought your paper was well organlze and well thought.

Will Mulkey <wrmulkey@hotmail.com>

Good descriptions of each. What causes you to not believe in psychic powers? On a sidenote- the military has used people with "remote viewing" abilities to locate prisoners and other things. This psychic power was said to have worked well.

Christa Ryan <christaryan@yahoo.com>

I thought your paper was very factual. I would have liked to have heard more about what people think about psychic powers.

cutler <cutlershaun@hotmail.com>

each were very well described. I enjoyed reading it.

J.W. Preston <wednesday@emeraldis.com>

A well defined essay. I feel magical and psychic powers are really the same issue, but in a different context.

Eric Howell <grayghost13@hotmail.com>

I think the paper was a little too much like a long definition, and I thought that you should have given your opinion more. But you had lots of good information.

Your Name <Your E-Mail>

It's a good paper. However, magic didn't start in the 1600. Using your examples, that type of magic has been in use for thousands of years. One way of defining maigc, is to say it is supernatural -- beyond nature, while psychic powers are manifested by people, therefore are a rare part of nature, if they really exist.

Anna C. Nance <eirendel@yahoo.com>

It's a good paper. However, magic didn't start in the 1600. Using your examples, that type of magic has been in use for thousands of years. One way of defining maigc, is to say it is supernatural -- beyond nature, while psychic powers are manifested by people, therefore are a rare part of nature, if they really exist.

Tiffany Norton <TiffNorton@Hotmail.com>

This is a very good paper. Magic is only illusion.

P. Garner <pgarner@student.lander.edu>

Very interesting topic. I really enjoyed reading your paper. Nice.

Woody Moore <wouldhe@inetgenesis.com>

interesting paper injoyed it

Will Bond <wbond@meta-net.net>

Great paper. It throughly explained the difference between the two.