How do you explain the very concept of “magic”? Is it something you can learn and practice, something inherent in our very nature, or something else entirely? Doctor Strange, an action and sci-fi based movie released in 2016, takes an unconventional approach to examining the idea of “magic” and its relationship to knowledge. Doctor Strange follows the story of a narcissistic and talented neurosurgeon, Doctor Stephen Strange. After a car accident leaves him with a debilitating injury, Strange seeks out the Ancient One, a mysterious mysterious figure living in the remote mountains of Nepal, believing she can heal his hands and enable him to continue practicing medicine. Instead, the Ancient One reveals to Strange the hidden world of magic, teaching him how to harness its power. Throughout the movie, Doctor Strange is forced to grapple with the implications of what this newfound magical knowledge entails and how it was previously unknown to him. He quickly learns that the power of magic and alchemy is immense, capable of lifting boulders and healing at a molecular level. Through his lessons with the Ancient One, Strange is able to understand something even more powerful - that of true knowledge. This knowledge is a combination of all four classical elements: spirit, nature, science, and faith. Strange soon realizes that this knowledge transcends the boundaries of science and religion, allowing him to defend both worlds against dark forces. Through mastering knowledge of the four elements, Strange is able to use his newfound magical abilities in order to traverse other dimensions, craft powerful weapons, and protect Earth from evil forces. He is even able to continue practicing his medical skills, as he is able to heal other living beings at a molecular level. Overall, Doctor Strange and the real magical knowledge take a unique approach to the idea of “magic”, showing its power is rooted within knowledge and the four classical elements. Doctor Strange is able to use this knowledge to defend both realms, advancing further than what can be accomplished through either science or religion. The movie is a great example of how magic is not merely a concept that is foreign or unfamiliar, but rather a combination of many forms of knowledge and wisdom.
