"Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic"

Thomas Szasz’s observation invites critical reflection on society’s shifting relationships with religion, science, magic, and medicine. Historically, in eras dominated by strong religious belief and relatively undeveloped scientific understanding, cures and healing practices often relied on the supernatural or miraculous. The boundaries between ritualistic magic and empirical treatment were blurred, and interventions to cure illness might involve prayers, incantations, or the intercession of divine powers. What was presented as medicine was often, in essence, magic, driven by faith rather than evidence.

With the rise of scientific inquiry, empirical experimentation, and technological advancement, the authority of science grew while the hold of traditional religion waned. Medicine became increasingly grounded in research, observation, and testing. Yet Szasz suggests that medicine, despite being rooted in scientific rigor, has acquired a nearly magical status in contemporary society. Many people now regard medical professionals and pharmaceutical interventions with an awe similar to how miracles were once viewed, placing unquestioning faith in their power to cure, heal, or rescue from suffering.

This reversal implies a different kind of misunderstanding. Instead of attributing unexplainable effects to miracles, society now imbues medicine with hyperbolic expectations, treating it as infallible or even omnipotent. The limitations, uncertainties, and potential failures inherent in medical science are often overlooked or denied. Patients may approach doctors hoping for instant solutions to complex health issues, and medical advances can be seen as technological wonders that transcend natural limits. Pharmaceutical companies and medical technologies are sometimes marketed as transformative, almost magical solutions.

Szasz subtly critiques both eras: the conflation of magic with medicine in the past, and the elevation of medicine to magical status now. His words warn against uncritical faith in any institution, calling for a more rational, humble understanding of the respective realms of science, medicine, and the deeper human need to find meaning and hope in the face of suffering and uncertainty.