Final answer:
Esting's fear of magic could stem from the perception of magic as a threat to established order, its unpredictability, and the historical context of magic being a taboo in many cultures. Laws against magic may reflect an attempt to maintain control and social cohesion by outlawing what is not understood or is feared.
Step-by-step explanation:
Esting's fear of magic, as depicted in 'Mechanica' by Betsy Cornwell, can be understood through several lenses provided by historical attitudes towards magic and the unknown. Historically, magic has often been perceived as a threat to established order and rational governance, largely because it represents a power base outside the control of the state. The creation of laws to forbid magic in Esting can be seen as an attempt to control or eliminate this perceived threat.
Anthropological studies, such as The Golden Bough by Sir James G. Frazer, detail the perceived dangers of magic from various societies. Magic is often seen as a spurious system of natural law, which is unpredictable and cannot be empirically verified, thereby instilling fear in those who rely on observable cause and effect. The fear of magic in Esting may be a reflection of the fear of the unknown and the potentially uncontrollable outcomes magic could have on their society, much like the societies mentioned in Frazer's work.
Additionally, historical texts like Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws illustrate how different cultures have certain taboos that might seem irrational to others but make sense within their own context. In this sense, Esting's legal prohibitions against magic could reflect cultural taboos and the desire to maintain social cohesion by outlawing what is misunderstood or feared. Apuleius' accounts reveal fear surrounding magical practices and the consequential societal repercussions when such practices are suspected.