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Analysis Of The Magic Of Reality By Richard Dawkins

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Science and “The Magic of Reality”: A Rhetorical Analysis Can an author discretely manipulate your beliefs? The ethologist, revolutionary biologist, and writer, Richard Dawkins, in his book, The Magic of Reality, attempts to reveal and explain to the readers the magic found in the nature surrounding us. Since the book requires basic scientific knowledge, it targets secondary school students and those older. Dawkin’s purpose is to convince readers that science can explain ultimately anything, and to persuade them into disregarding their belief in metaphysical explanations. Richard Dawkins started off the chapter by clarifying that anything that exists, or has once existed, is a reality which can be detected somehow by our senses, or has left …show more content…

Firstly, supernatural magic, the form found in myths and fictional stories like Aladdin’s lamp and Harry Potter’s world of wizardry. Secondly, stage magic, which is nothing but tricks performed by magicians that they do not reveal for the sake of the confidentiality of their profession or for deceitful purposes of fraud in careers like mindreading and fortune-telling. Last but not least, poetic magic, the kind of magic we use to describe something extremely beautiful and breathtaking as ‘magical’, with given examples like sunsets, alpine landscapes, and rainbows against dark skies. Here the writer uses the “build it up-break it down” method with supernatural magic, reminding his readers with their childhood before suddenly shattering its beauty with the obvious “but we all know that kind of magic is just fiction and does not happen in reality.” This highlights how abstract supernatural magic is, and how believing in it is a form of immaturity. Why? Because the definition of supernatural, as he introduced it, revolves around having all natural explanations become eternally inapplicable- a weakness further displayed by juxtaposing it with science, “science takes the exact opposite approach. Science thrives on its inability –so far- to explain everything.” Dawkins sheds additional light on this important difference by

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The rhetorical devices imbue the text with power by describing the intricate parts of the scientific method and how it affects scientists greatly. These rhetorical devices also make the text beautiful and easier to connect with by including imagery of the unknown wilderness and nature, which relates with scientists and their studies. Being a scientists and delving into scientific research is a difficult task and it requires not only scientists, but also the every day person to be the torch bearers of discovery as

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As a literary genre, Magical Realism stands with its own methodology. Not adhering to a set of certain rules, realities appear distorted, demonstrating that this style of literature strays from conventional standards of writing. With this, reality conforms to a degree wherein characters behave naturally amidst their environment, despite exposure to the seemingly surreal. Within the genre of Magical Realism, one finds that a variety of elements constitute it, each warping the text in a way of its own. By exploiting this aspect of Magical Realism, authors communicate a broader message than what is written in the text.

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Scientists take the unknown and make it known. The audience will better understand the scientific method if it seems logical. Including examples of Einstein, accepting scientific theories, and designing experiments show that the basis of Barry’s argument is factual. “Einstein refused to accept his own theory until his predictions were tested,” showing even the best of the best scientists study with uncertainty. Barry’s appeal to logos helps characterize the intellectual side of science.

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"Each individual has his own way of interpreting Dawkin 's

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