Paraphrase
Over time, more and more of life has become subject to the control of
knowledge. However, this is never a one-way process. Scientific investigation is
continually increasing our knowledge. But if we are able to make good use of
this knowledge, we must not only rid our minds of old, superseded beliefs and
fragments of magic, but also recognize new interpretations for what they are.
Both are generated by our wishes, our fears, and our feelings of helplessness in
difficult situations.
Margaret Mead, “New Superstitions for Old,” A Way of Seeing, New York:
McCall, 1970, 266.