Che cos'è la magia? Osservazioni di antropologia riflessiva

What is magic? A reflexive anthropological approach, by Fabio Dei The concept of magic has long played a central role in anthropological thought. However, interest in this category has waned since the 1960s, almost disappearing entirely by the late twentieth century. This essay examines the reasons behind this theoretical shift, questioning whether it signifies intellectual progress or a loss for anthropological inquiry. It also explores how contemporary perspectives might reformulate questions about human rationality and cultural relativism that were historically tied to the study of magic. The essay begins with a concise overview of classical studies on magic and then focuses on four key aspects of more recent developments: (a) the analysis of anti-magic polemics in Western cultural history; (b) the intersections between magical epistemology and post-empiricist philosophy of science; (c) the relationship between magic and common sense; and (d) the "return" of magic in contemporary contexts. These themes converge on a “reflexive” approach, treating magic not as an external, mysterious “other” but as a conceptual tool – a reagent – that challenges and clarifies our understanding of the natural and social world by shedding light on the forms and limits of our own experiences.