By Psychology Today
Publication Date: 2026-05-11 12:00:00
We live in the most rational civilization in human history. Never before have so many decisions been made based on data, optimized by algorithms, or informed by scientific models of staggering complexity. Our machines can predict protein structures, outperform diagnostic experts, produce legal briefs and compose symphonies in seconds. Entire sectors of society now rely on systems whose internal logic goes beyond the understanding of most of the people who use them.
And yet, just at the moment when rationality wins, mysticism comes back to life. Astrology has returned to mainstream culture. Ancient liturgical traditions attract young converts. Artificial intelligence (AI) is routinely discussed not just as software, but as if it were a strange and emergent form of consciousness.
At first glance this seems backwards. The Enlightenment promised that more reason would mean less superstition – that scientific progress would steadily displace it magical…