true or false: for major Western thinkers historically, modern advertising and propaganda are simply forms of magic.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: False
Historically, major Western thinkers have not simply equated modern advertising and propaganda with magic. While there are some philosophical or theoretical connections drawn between these concepts, particularly in modern critical theory and media studies, the general consensus among most traditional Western thinkers is that advertising and propaganda are forms of communication, persuasion, or manipulation rooted in psychology, rhetoric, and political strategy, rather than in mystical or magical practices.
Magic, in its traditional sense, involves supernatural forces, rituals, or mystical influence over events and people. In contrast, advertising and propaganda are understood as deliberate efforts to influence public opinion, consumer behavior, or political attitudes through techniques such as repetition, emotional appeal, selective information presentation, and visual symbolism.
Some 20th-century theorists, like Walter Benjamin or Theodor Adorno, did use metaphoric language when describing the seductive or ritualistic nature of mass media, sometimes likening it to enchantment or spell-casting. These ideas are figurative rather than literal, meant to critique the powerful psychological effects of mass communication on the public. Similarly, Edward Bernays, considered a pioneer of modern public relations, described propaganda as a tool for shaping public consciousness, but he did not frame it as magic.
More recent cultural critics and media theorists may explore how advertising functions similarly to magic by creating illusions, desires, and transformations in perception. However, this comparison is symbolic and serves to critique the manipulative nature of media rather than to suggest a literal equivalence.
Therefore, the statement that major Western thinkers historically regarded modern advertising and propaganda simply as forms of magic is incorrect. While the metaphor of magic is sometimes used to describe their effects, these fields are primarily seen as psychological and rhetorical tools rather than mystical or supernatural phenomena.