History Main / ScientificallyUnderstandableSorcery

Scientifically Understandable Sorcery is when magic is a way of manipulating the world, no different from technology. [[TheLawsOfMagic Its laws and mechanincs]] are the same physical laws that [[RealLife the rest of the universe abides by]]. The only mystical or supernatural thing about the change is the force causing it and the method in which it is enacted.

** ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'': Sorcery is described as the ability to manipulate the fundamental forces of reality itself by tapping into alternate dimensions outside of the ones currently known for science, both for energy and for direct effects. It's also described as the ability to manipulation reality similar to programming a computer using [[PowersAsPrograms "Spells"]].

* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'': ZigZagged. In contrast to the mages of the "Magic Side" (who operate on [[TheLawsOfMagic more narrative logic]]), the espers of the "Science Side" project an AIM Dispersion Field [[DomainHolder within which they control a specific parameter of the laws of physics]]. High-level espers have generally figured out [[SwissArmySuperpower a range of different applications for their power]], and their brains adapt to be GoodWithNumbers [[RequiredSecondaryPower in order to handle]] the precise calculations required. However, this is a partially EnforcedTrope, as the rare espers who develop strange, abstract powers often can't figure out how they work and are unable to train them up to a usable level. The most prominent of these, Sogiita Gunha, is a HotBlooded IdiotHero who awakened esper potential without going through the Power Development Curriculum at all, and seems to [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands come up with new powers on the spot]]; as he has barely has any understanding of physics, his "process" for doing these things is more often than not just [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum random sciency words stuck together]].

[[folder: Fan Works]]

* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has the trope both Played With and Discussed, with Asgardian society and the other Higher Realms running on SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic - as, apparently, did Atlantis (which got a leg-up from Asgard). The essential idea is that Magic is the Fifth Fundamental Force of the universe, and the more of it you have available, the more you can affect the other four. Additionally, learning about science is a great way to use magic more creatively, with Harry replicating a railgun on the spot thanks to his knowledge of electromagnetism. However, a warning note is that magic is ever so slightly alive, and there are certain things that it does ''not'' like being used for: BlackMagic, for starters, which, as in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', is inherently corrupting.

* This trait is so common that, in ''Series/Runaways2017'', it's actually mocked where the character Alex insists his magical staff is merely using some unknown form of science, and the other kids just respond by stating it's obviously magic.

* In the ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' series we have [[spoiler:Roger Bacon]], who read the words of God, understands the basic concepts of the cosmos now and can alter reality on a fundamental level. [[AllPowerfulBystander Not that he does so often]], since God is apparently the [[JerkAssGods temperamental type]]. He dresses in a monks robes, references God often and has all manner of occult paraphernalia, yet he is quite insistent that what he does is science, not magic.
* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'', magic is effectively a science, not much different from chemistry or physics, and is studied and practiced very much like one. Institutions such as the College of Winterhold study it very much as several fields of science.
* In ''VideoGame/ShadowsOverLoathing,'' magic is said to be a kind of energy, and therefore a curse can never be created or destroyed, only changed to become an enchantment. To this end, you need to address the respective incidents that lead several [[ArtifactOfDoom Artifacts of Doom]] to become cursed objects in a VR simulation of these events, changing the curse into a beneficial enchantment.

* After having what she thought she knew about magic shattered after discovering her elemental powers, Princess Bubblegum in ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' uses her knowledge of science to help her better utilize her candy powers.
* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' WordOfGod is that magic can [[MinovskyPhysics be considered a substance and spellwork its manipulation]]. Being material in this way means magic can leave behind unique, microscopic trace residues that can be studied forensically. Natural proficiency in channeling magic can be [[MageSpecies genetically hereditary]], and thus [[PostModernMagik be inherited by clones]].

Scientifically Understandable Sorcery is when magic is a way of manipulating the world, no different from technology. [[TheLawsOfMagic Its Laws & Mechanics]] are the Same Physical Laws that [[RealLife the rest of The Universe Abides by]]. The only mystical or supernatural thing about the change is the force causing it and the method in which it is enacted.

When a mage wishes to [[AnIcePerson freeze]] something, he is extracting the heat, or slowing down the molecules. When he wishes to [[PlayingWithFire burn]] something, he is speeding them up, or gathering heat. When he wishes to [[ShockAndAwe electrify]] something, he is merely directing and conducting the electricity of the area - or generating it. When he wants to [[MakingASplash control water]], he is manipulating the H[[subscript:2]]O particles. When he wants to be {{invisib|ility}}le, he's reflecting light carefully.

* ''ComicBook/{{Shadowpact}}'': In Issue #18, The Enchantress makes her student Warlock's Daughter read books on various scientific disciplines including cryptozoology, physics, chemistry and geology. When Warlock's Daughter questions the point of this, Enchantress presents a hypothetical scenario in which she would be attacked by a type of werewolf that is immune to most magic.

* The ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' has attracted some flak for this, as their use of this trope borders on DoingInTheWizard.
** In ''Film/{{Thor}}'', it's established that Asgardians are not "gods" but actually SufficientlyAdvancedAliens who possess enormous physical strength, heightened longevity, and an ancient mastery of [[{{magitek}} something that is both magic and science]]. This is taken to the point that, in ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', Earth-educated scientist Jane Foster recognizes an Asgardian healing device called a "Soul Forge" is actually a (theoretical on Earth) scientific device called a Quantum Field Generator. ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' and ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' seemed to have backpedaled on this though, taking the fantastic in stride.
** In ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'', sorcery is described as the ability to manipulate the fundamental forces of reality itself by tapping into alternate dimensions outside of the ones currently known for science, both for energy and for direct effects. It’s also described as the ability to manipulation reality similar to programming a computer using [[PowersAsPrograms "Spells"]].

[[folder: Fan Works]]

* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has the trope both Played With and Discussed, with Asgardian society and the other Higher Realms running on SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic - as, apparently, did Atlantis (which got a leg-up from Asgard). The essential idea is that Magic is the Fifth Fundamental Force of the universe, and the more of it you have available, the more you can affect the other four. Additionally, learning about science is a great way to use magic more creatively, with Harry replicating a railgun on the spot thanks to his knowledge of electromagnetism. However, a warning note is that magic is ever so slightly alive, and there are certain things that it does ''not'' like being used for: BlackMagic, for starters, which, as in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', is inherently corrupting.

[[/folder]]

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Knowing certain scientific facts can make spells, and spell-based attacks more effective. For example, let's say a magically resistant enemy is running towards you- it's harder to run if you make the floor under his feet slick. Or you expect to be shot at- enchant something you're going to wear to distribute the force of impact across you ''whole'' body.
** One of the more impressive ones involved Harry deciding he wanted to freeze a section of lake. Instead of using an "ice spell" to act directly, with the necessary energy cost, he instead cast a fire spell... that pulled energy from the lake to help fuel a 10 story pillar of fire. And since cold (and freezing) is (relatively) an absence of energy in the item so affected....
* In ''Literature/{{Gate}}'', Lelei is able to improve her magic by studying physics theories from Earth. Even spells based on extremely crude models of reality can produce results, but using more accurate theories is more efficient. That is, a spell which attempts to create fire by releasing [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phlogiston_theory phlogiston]] will function just fine, but one which attempts to create fire by bonding fuel to oxygen molecules in the air is much stronger for the same amount of effort. Lelei also uses this knowledge as inspiration for entirely new spells, including a propulsion spell which operates on the principles of a railgun.
* In ''Literature/InCryptid'', Mark (who is a member of a telepathic species from AnotherDimension), claims that "magic" is just science we don't understand yet. This is when he's in the company of AnIcePerson and someone PlayingWithFire.
* In the ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'', not even the energy that fuels magic is supernatural, only the way spell-casters control that energy. Magic can be used through sheer force of thought, or through use of a LanguageOfMagic known to the readers simply as the Ancient Language. Long ago, a race known now only as the Gray Race decided that the current magic was far too [[WildMagic unreliable and chaotic]], as it was directed only by thought and will. So they somehow altered it so that it responded to anything they said in their native tongue. In it, no lie can be spoken, and the speaker is mystically bound to whatever they say. Only one who knows the language's name can undo these bonds. This person can also alter the language, restricting spell-casting worldwide, adding new creatures to it, and undoing aforementioned bonds, making them capable of bringing about the EndOfTheWorld.

* In ''Literature/TheLostGate'', the main character says his mother, a light mage, makes things nearly invisible by reflecting light, and his father has the power to remove friction almost completely, by using his powers over metal.

* ''Literature/TheBrokenEarthTrilogy: Orogenes' powers follow the laws of energy transfer - in order to use their power, they must find a source of heat in the environment and if they can't, they suck heat from the ambient and freeze everything around them. This allowed Shemshena to defeat Misalem by removing any possible source of energy that he could use.

See also SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic, {{Magitek}}, and (because fantasy writers will often take liberties with physical laws) ArtisticLicense.

See also: SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic, {{Magitek}}, and (because fantasy writers will often take liberties with physical laws) ArtisticLicense.

* ''LightNovel/TheIrregularAtMagicHighSchool'': While the actual force responsible for magic seems to be genuinely supernatural, modern magic (but not Ancient Magic) has been shown to work by scientific principles, such as freezing things by slowing down atoms, which happens more than you might think. It's also shown that pretty much all modern magic looks similar to holograms while ancient magic looks much more solid.

* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Alchemy in the FMA-verse is based on the chemical elements rather than the [[ElementsOfNature classical elements]]. One scene that demonstrates this trope is when Edward Elric takes a stick of dynamite and transmutes it so that the ammonium nitrate inside is released as noxious ammonia fumes that knock his enemies out via their [[SuperSenses extra-sensitive sense of smell]] in their chimera forms.

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' WordOfGod is that magic can [[MinovskyPhysics be considered a substance and spellwork its manipulation]]. Being material in this way means magic can leave behind unique, microscopic trace residues that can be studied forensically. Natural proficiency in channeling magic can be [[WitchSpecies genetically hereditary]], and thus [[PostModernMagik be inherited by clones]].

* In ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' we have Roger Bacon, who read the words of God, understands the basic concepts of the cosmos now and can alter reality on a fundamental level. [[AllPowerfulBystander Not that he does so often]], since God is apparently the [[JerkAssGods temperamental type]]. He dresses in a monks robes, references God often and has all manner of occult paraphernalia, yet he is quite insistent that what he does is science, not magic.

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' WordOfGod is that magic can [[MinovskyPhysics be considered a substance and spellwork its manipulation]]. Being material in this way means magic can lsave behind unique, microscopic trace residues that can be studied forensically. Natural proficiency in channeling magic can be [[WitchSpecies genetically hereditary]], and thus [[PostModernMagik be inherited by clones]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' WordOfGod is that magic can [[MinoskyPhysics be considered a substance and spellwork its manipulation]]. Being material in this way means magic can lsave behind unique, microscopic trace residues that can be studied forensically. Natural proficiency in channeling magic can be [[WitchSpecies genetically hereditary]], and thus [[PostModernMagik be inherited by clones]].

* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Alchemy in the FMA-verse is based on the chemical elements rather than the [[ElementsOfNature classical elements]]. One scene that demonstrates this trope is when Edward Elric takes a stick of dynamite and transmutes it so that the nitrogen that is composed of is released as a noxious gas that knocks his enemies out via their [[SuperSenses extra-sensitive sense of smell]] in their chimera forms.

'''Nico:''' If by "science", you mean [Magitek high-tech magic], then sure.

'''Nico:''' If by "science", you mean [[Magitek high-tech magic]], then sure.

'''Nico:''' If by "science", you mean high-tech magic, then sure.

Scientifically Understandable Sorcery is when magic is a way of manipulating the world, no different from technology. [[TheLawsOfMagic Its Laws]] are the Laws of [[TechnoBabble physics, nature, and reality]]. The only mystical or supernatural thing about the change is the force causing it and the method in which it is enacted.

** In ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'', sorcery is described as the ability to manipulate the fundamental forces of reality itself by tapping into alternate dimensions outside of the ones currently known for science, both for energy and for direct effects. It’s also described as the ability to manipulation reality similar to programming a computer using [PowersAsPrograms "Spells"].

** In ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'', sorcery is described as the ability to manipulate the fundamental forces of reality itself by tapping into alternate dimensions outside of the ones currently known for science, both for energy and for direct effects.