Math as Magic: Interesting or boring idea?

[theenngee]

Ai-chan doesn't think it's as farfetched as it seems. Eastern Numerology is basically math magic. Using your knowledge, you can calculate the optimum time for rituals and create effects that seems like outlandish magic. If an applied math professor were to visit a primitive society, his application of math would be pretty magical to this society.

That being said, this section is for story feedback ONLY. Discussions about elements of your story should not be done in this section.

I did not know where else to put this and the closest relation I could find is story discussions. if you could point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.

 

[Ai-chan]

I did not know where else to put this and the closest relation I could find is story discussions. if you could point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.

It was moved after Ai-chan informed you. So just a reminder next time. Anyway, you put this in story feedback, not story discussion.

 

[Zirrboy]

I have only surface-level experience in higher geometry

No

 

[Nahrenne]

I had this idea about a story/setting for a while now and I was wondering whether it sounds interesting to you:
It would feature "math as magic" as in that certain geometrics/projection effects of mathematical phenomena would be used to explain magic, leading to a very pure and close-to-reality system of magic that required little in-world rules. It would mainly be about the protagonist figuring these things out while travelling a world outside of normal bounds of forests plains and mountains and find his way back home.
Now when I say "math" I dont mean "calculus" or "arithmatic". there would be no calculations necessary for the readers or characters to understand how certain "spells" work, only strictly logical concepts.
Do you think this could be interesting to a reader base?
Are you a mathematician or a math-wiz and would like to help me figure a few things out? I have only surface-level experience in higher geometry, basically anything that I glean from the internet.

So, you mean kind of like how the magic in that Japanese light novel, The Irregular in Magic Highschool, or whatever it was called used a lot of science and maths for their magic?


If you feel you'll be able to pull it off and still make it enjoyable, then go for it. I vaguely recall there being a famous person in the past who had said that science will eventually become so advanced that it will seem like magic, or something, so it's not farfetched for you to do this as a premise for a story.
(^-^)

Good luck with your writing!
*huggles*


X

 

[BomBomBom]

I had this idea about a story/setting for a while now and I was wondering whether it sounds interesting to you:
It would feature "math as magic" as in that certain geometrics/projection effects of mathematical phenomena would be used to explain magic, leading to a very pure and close-to-reality system of magic that required little in-world rules. It would mainly be about the protagonist figuring these things out while travelling a world outside of normal bounds of forests plains and mountains and find his way back home.
Now when I say "math" I dont mean "calculus" or "arithmatic". there would be no calculations necessary for the readers or characters to understand how certain "spells" work, only strictly logical concepts.
Do you think this could be interesting to a reader base?
Are you a mathematician or a math-wiz and would like to help me figure a few things out? I have only surface-level experience in higher geometry, basically anything that I glean from the internet.

I think it is a neat idea. If you are confident in your idea and know what to search on google (as in what kind of math you want to use to explain what kind of magic), go for it!

Math and other scientific subjects as base for magic is not new but not common and I would love to read one. There is one novel about this idea: Throne of Magical Arcana, you might want to take a look if you have not already read it.

As others said, it's all about the execution. You can create a whole new system or copy paste the good ol' fantasy system from other stories, doesn't matter as long as your story is good.

High tier spells or certain magical fields can be hard to explain tho, if you go strictly with math. For example, how would necromancy and summoning magic work, even on a concept-only level. If there is a teleportation spell, how would any sorcerer learn it

 

[2021]

so science big brother third remove

 

[CubicleHermit]

A couple of series come to mind from this thread (both Western Fantasy) - the De Camp and Pratt "Compleat Enchanter"/Harold Shea stories (which have appeared in a number of slightly-varied titled volumes depending on how many of the stories get lumped together) where magic is based on mathematics and logic proofs in particular ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_M...ries_of_L._Sprague_de_Camp_and_Fletcher_Pratt for example)

The other is Wizard's Bane by Rick Cook (and sequels; first book is good, later books just OK) which does the "being good at computer programming makes you able to tackle magic in an outside the box fashion" that has come along in a number of LN. This one came out back in 1989.

Gregory Keyes' Newton's Cannon and sequels (Age of Unreason series) deals with a magic that intersects a lot with science and math.

Overall, I think it's a cool premise. My own WIP story hasn't really surfaced much about how magic works, but operates on a "traditional magic vs. modern/scientific magic" distinction.

 

[SakeVision]

I hate all overly complex hard magic systems, but you do you.