Astrology, the study of celestial bodies like stars and planets, is often labeled as a pseudoscience due to its lack of empirical evidence supporting its claims. Philosopher Paul Thagard declared astrology a pseudoscience in 1978, but this distinction lies in the way individuals endorse astrology while disregarding opposing evidence. Astrology has a long history, but no substantial empirical evidence exists to support its claims.
Thomas Kuhn argued that it was not lack of falsifiability that makes astrology unscientific, but rather that the process and concepts of astrology are non-empirical. Eight basic qualities characterize scientific theories and which are mostly or entirely lacking in pseudoscience: consistent internally and externally, parsimonious, and consistent internally and externally.
Astrology has been practiced for thousands of years, but it is still regarded as pseudoscience because it lacks scientific evidence. It does not follow anything resembling the scientific method, has no independently repeatable experimentation to prove its validity, and has not demonstrated its effectiveness in controlled studies. It pretends to be valid and scientific, but is based on myth and superstition, not logic, evidence, or experimentation.
Astrology has been rejected by the scientific community as having no explanatory power for describing the universe. The Barnum effect (or Forer effect) is the natural tendency for humans to think that information is tailored specifically to them. Most philosophers and historians of science agree that astrology is a pseudoscience, but there is little agreement on why it is a pseudoscience. The classification of astrology as a pseudoscience is subjective, and while it lacks empirical scientific validation, it offers symbolic insights.
📹 Astrology isn’t science, but your horoscope is more real than you think
Astrology isn’t real science, but there’s more to the zodiac than ancient superstition. Before horoscopes were popularly debunked, …
Why are horoscopes not accurate?
Astrology focuses on the gravitational effects of planets, which cause changes in their orbits. These changes, such as the impact of an asteroid off the Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago, have caused global effects like the disappearance of dinosaurs and the rise of mammals. However, astrological studies will eventually allow for the prediction of such events, while astrological predictions will provide no insight. James B. Kaler, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, argues that astrological predictions are insufficient.
When was astrology declared a pseudoscience?
Astrology, a pseudoscience, was declared by philosopher Paul Thagard in 1978 due to its lack of scientific foundation and community’s refusal to accept alternative theories. Astrology may have started as a protoscience, but it eventually became an unpromising project. However, many modern fans argue that astrology has no scientific pretension and is a tool for introspection. Astrology has its limitations, such as the lack of accuracy and contradictions in its predictions.
For example, a birth chart can be inaccurate, and the author experienced contradictions in their birth chart, highlighting the contradictions within the field. The author’s perspective on astrology is a mix of traditionalist, rebellious, intellectual, and intuitive psychic, balancing traditionalist beliefs with rebellious nature and a witty intellectual with a serious personality. The label of pseudoscience is often used to label astrology as a pseudoscience, but it is important to recognize the potential for astrology to continue to evolve and challenge scientific understanding.
Why is astronomy scientific but astrology not scientific?
Astronomy is a branch of science that studies everything outside Earth’s atmosphere, including celestial objects like the sun, moon, and other planets, as well as distant galaxies, distant stars, and black holes. Astronomers may also research subatomic particles and theoretical things in space, such as dark matter. Astronomy often involves the use of scientific equipment like telescopes and satellites.
Astrology, on the other hand, is a nonscientific practice that uses celestial objects’ positions to make conclusions about people or future events. Astrologers believe that celestial objects are linked to human behavior, such as a person’s personality traits aligning with the zodiacal constellation at birth. Astrology also uses a horoscope to predict a person’s future.
In general, astronomy is accepted as a science, relying on the scientific method and scientific research to make verifiable conclusions. Astrology, on the other hand, makes predictions or conclusions that cannot be proven or disproved and uses logic based on cultural traditions rather than scientific research or understanding of the universe.
Did Einstein believe astrology?
Einstein’s sole known commentary on astrology is a 1943 epistle to Eugene Simon, wherein he concurs with Simon regarding the pseudoscientific nature of astrology, emphasizing its resilience and longevity over centuries.
Why is astrology considered witchcraft?
The conviction in malevolent spiritual entities gave rise to a dual condemnation of magical practices that sought to benefit humanity rather than cause harm, as well as divination techniques of all kinds. This was largely due to the fact that the ability to foresee and predict future events was often perceived as being closely associated with witchcraft.
What did Isaac Newton say about astrology?
Newton’s astrological contributions were largely overlooked in both manuscript and print forms. In 1977, Derek Whiteside, in his examination of approximately 50 million words from Newton’s mathematical manuscripts, could not discern any references to horoscopes.
When astrology has a long history it is generally considered a pseudoscience?
Astrology is considered a pseudoscience by the scientific community, as it lacks explanatory power for describing the universe and has no proven mechanism of action that contradicts basic aspects of biology and physics. Astrology believers, including Bart J. Bok, have been criticized for believing in astrology despite the lack of a verified scientific basis and strong evidence to the contrary.
Confirmation bias, a form of cognitive bias, contributes to belief in astrology. Astrology believers tend to selectively remember predictions that turn out to be true, while not remembering those that turn out false. There are two distinct forms of confirmation bias that are under study with respect to astrological belief.
Under the criterion of falsifiability, first proposed by philosopher Karl Popper, astrology is a pseudoscience. Popper regarded astrology as “pseudo-empirical” as it appeals to observation and experiment but does not meet scientific standards. In contrast to scientific disciplines, astrology has not responded to falsification through experimentation.
In conclusion, astrology is a controversial and controversial field that faces scrutiny from the scientific community due to its lack of explanatory power and the lack of scientific evidence supporting its claims.
What does the Bible say about astrology?
In Matthew 28:18, Jesus asserts that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. This contradicts biblical wisdom, as chasing after false gods is a sin. There is no biblical evidence that God has given authority to stars or astrologists. Pursuing predictions about our destiny or personality is biblically sinful, as it takes power from God and gives it to something other than God. A horoscope cannot change what God has already ordained before we were even created.
Why is astrology a pseudoscience in Thagard?
A Popperian perspective asserts that the fundamental challenge with astrology is its inability to be falsifiable. This is because astrologers are unable to make predictions that would result in the abandonment of their theory, which is a defining characteristic of unscientific practices.
Why you shouldn’t read horoscopes?
Astrology can be damaging due to the random information it provides, and it can hinder personal growth by interfering with decision-making. While Vyse doesn’t recommend acting on a horoscope, it may boost confidence and improve performance. However, Sandbek and Vyse agree that there are more reliable ways to build self-esteem. They suggest that using random information to feel good is not healthy and that people should focus on strengthening their support system, relationships, and weeding out bad ones. Technology and resources can help improve people’s lives by enhancing their support systems and relationships.
Why are horoscopes a good example of a pseudoscience quizlet?
The disciplines of astrology and phrenology are regarded as pseudosciences due to their inability to be objectively verified or tested.
📹 Pseudoscience Debunked: Astrology
This is Episode 1 of our Pseudoscience Miniseries -Become a Member: https://www.davidpakman.com/membership -Support Our …
Anyone who’s arguing against David on this topic seems to be incredibly biased. Saying ‘Get a real Astrologist to make a good Horoscope and you’ll see’ is so telling: If you’ve already paid an “expert”, of course you’ll believe in that bullshit, since otherwise you would have to admit being scammed and that’s hard to do. Losing money is never fun, but as long as those people believe in it, it feels like their investment is not lost to them. It’s the same with people who keep stocks way too long just because they attach the value of the initial commitment to a worthless piece of paper.
I knew this scam was false when I looked at my older brother, my pops, and my own birth signs a few years back. We all have extremely similar personalities such as bad tempers, stubborn, creative, intelligent, rebellious, dominant, etc but 2 out of 3 of us have “docile” birth signs that are the opposite of who we are. My younger brother has the most masculine sign out of us all but he’s very mild tempered, passive, and persuadable like my mom who has the same sign as myself. I see it as an easy money grab for the scammers that perpetuate this fraud and a pillow for the gullible that need some feel good confirmation based on nothin tangible.
“The desire to be connected with the Cosmos reflects a profound reality. We are connected, not in the trivial ways that pseudosciences promise, but in the deepest ways. Our little planet is under the influence of a star. The sun warms us. It drives the weather. It sustains all living things. Four billion years ago, it brought forth life on Earth.” – Carl Sagan
As a youngster (parents bought for me) the horoscope lottery numbers picker didn’t see my numbers come up…… all my faith in this instantly dashed forever and scepticism over pseudo sciences in various forms whilst developing love for true science and honesty. Pretty good value to be able to find that out so early I guess.
Fucking awesome article! I have friends who get so upset and offended when I tell them how astrology is utter BS. They tell me that theres no reason to criticize it if I dont believe it… You just confirmed several reasons why its important to confront and criticize it.. especially when so many people I know dont just use astrology for fun, or entertainment, but truly believe it and let it influence important decisions and attitudes in their lives! Fucking a… that shit is absolutely dangerous.
Probably the best “astrology debunking” article I’ve encountered. Good points. A couple points though: astrology is not a science, it’s an interpretive art and a philosophy (metaphysics); astrology isn’t causal (except in Ptolemy and a few other outliers), it’s indicative or symbolic; yes, sun sign “horoscopes” are almost worthless, but this is not indicative of actual natal astrology, which takes a more holistic synthesis of the entire chart; astrology is based on the sympathy between the microcosm (man) and the macrocosm (the universe), which is an ancient Hermetic doctrine; granted, it is part of an antiquated (pre-Enlightenment) worldview, and that worldview is contingent upon an enchanted/ensouled cosmos – you either prescribe or you do not. As far as arrogance goes, I think it’s colossally hubristic to look at the planets and stars in their cosmic dance and assume that they have no inherent meaning or purpose other than that which we deem fit to bestow upon them. I, personally, prefer the notion of celestial influence to the view that space is filled with dead stuff, set in motion by some natural law or other, merely to be measured and calculated. That, to me, is positivistic, materialistic, nihilistic arrogance.
I’ve always been fascinated by astrology. I’m not proud to admit this, but I’m always checking out my charts. With that being said, though, one reason why I realize that it’s irrational is because modern astrologers assign rulerships of recently discovered celestial bodies (like asteroids) according to the names they’re given, which are often derived from Greek and Roman mythology. For example, the asteroid Juno, which was named after Jupiter’s wife, is often astrologically associated with marriage and committed relationships. All names are arbitrarily given by someone. Would the same asteroid be associated with matrimony if it were named something else, like Tom or Jane?
Im a sagittarius. One of the defining traits of Sagittarius people is supposed to be super outdoorsy. I have Erythromelalgia which in layman’s terms means even slight temperature increases make me break out in hot, painful burning rash (similar to a first degree burn except the pain comes from inside the body instead from the external skin). I wasn’t even particularly outdoorsy before that. Lol. -Sagittarius are also always described as adventurous. I’m mostly a home body. -And described as spiritual/religious. I’m an atheist and skeptic. -And energetic. Not at all. -And enthusiastic. Hardly. I often look at my pet chasing a ball around and think, “I wish I were that excited by anything.” -And extroverted. HA. If I only saw other humans once a week, I’d be cool with that. -And optimistic. No, more like a realist. The only accurate characteristic that seems to be consistently mentioned is that I can outspoken but isn’t everbody that way about something? David is right though, a lot of these horoscopes say totally contradictory things. #AstrologyFail
Sun sign horoscopes is not true astrology. Real astrologers do not base what they say off of the actual positions of the planet in the zodiac. It’s based on the suns position on the ecliptic. I will give you a legit birth chart, reading for free. One that is not based off of a sun sign, which doesn’t even work.
Let me talk about my experience with astrology – as a person that actually believed in it until last year but now questions it. I have to tell you, that for me, you gave the best explanation of how to debunk it. If you actually come across some of my old comments you can actually see how I actually lived by it. I was always a very sensitive and intuitive person, however, I always loves science and questioning beliefs. Astrology is indeed fatalistic and dangerous. People may actually do silly decisions based on it. End friendships, get in relationships with the wrong people, just based on “compatibility”. There is a supposed astrological configuration in my chart – venus and mars in the 12th house – that basically says that I would be only on abusive relationships and with men that would only be with me in the shadows. There were other things however I am telling this as an example. For a long time I believed this, and let me tell you, it sabotages you, you start to assimilate that and think that is going to be your life. And Astrologers thrive on this, They try to use astrology as a way of “palpating” possible traumas and hardships in your life so that you are gullible to depend on them and give them more money for advice. Eventually I started defying this (my scientific side that questions stuff) and just began to believe more in myself and to just focus in learning other kind of stuff instead of being closed in the “esoteric knowledge”. And let me tell you, I found someone that wants me for who I am, cares for me and does not give a crap in regards to showing that we are in a relationship.
I would like to tell you that astrology is not horoscopes nor a fanciful interpretation that tells you everything you want to hear. Astrology is based on your birth chart and I have to say with great regret that there are few astrologers who are good at interpreting it, so the margin is reduced to a few and on the other hand, many who claim to be astrologers and who have carried out very poor studies in astrology.
1. Not sure I could agree that Astrology claims a causal link (between planets and events on earth) but perhaps the term “correlation” might be a more fitting descriptor. 2. Not sure that gravity is argued to be the influencing factor, assuming that the planets and their positions are causal (see point 1). 3. I’m pretty sure that there’s a strong similarity between twins, even those who have different lives, behaviour or characteristics otherwise. 4. The test of using identical readings, which people might agree with, doesn’t invalidate Astrology even it is has a similar effect. It’s possible to achieve a similar effect in different ways. 5. Interpretive and subjective tests, such as profile readings as described in 4., are difficult to measure statistically. A better, more reliable, test would be to correctly state, with statistically significant confidence, the planetary positions of strangers.
David, I’m all for your questioning. I’m an artist, and am very sensitive to copyright issues. If you use other people’s articles in yours, or if you got them from their YouTube website, it is good manners and ethical to reference that source in your film. Please add those acknowledgements to the articles otherwise you could open yourself to copyright infringement even if your goal is fair use.
Oh okay, Dave, that wasn’t one of your better debunkings. There had to have been a better way to debunk it other than drag up Caral Sagan’s corpse. You explained that it didn’t have an effect on our lives/ fates but you didn’t why. At the heart of Astrology is the concept of “so above so below”, the ancients used to use the stars as means to predict the change of the seasons, our whole calendar is built around that concept. It wasn’t a far leap to believe that the stars can predict more than that. Astrology generally fell out of favor when it was discovered and accepted that the earth was not the center of the universe. Even then, recent studies have shown that the peculiar quirks we attribute to astrology fit the themes of happens to people when they are in the womb during what seasons. I’m not saying that astrology isn’t a Pseudoscience worthy of debunking, that rather your article came off like someone who already had preconceived notions about it and went from there. All I got from your article was, astrology is nonsensical because of gravity, this study i go through, and Caral Sagan.
Capricorn: The stars are alarmed by your increasing consumption of chocolate chip ice cream, and advise you to try apples instead.Sagitarius or however it’s spelled: You’ve stepped in something regrettable, wipe your shoes. Leo: Strong winds today, get your flowerpots off the windowsill. Virgo: The stars wish to remind you that you did not bother to vote in 2016, so deal with it. Aquarius: Tiger mosquitoes ruin your week. Gemini: The stars indicate that you’re running low on milk, time to shop. The Other Signs: Watch the skies for portents and flying flowerpots.
These days in order to be a psychoanalyst you don’t need to be a doctor in medicine. As I ridicule astrology and its incursion into secular disciplines like psychology, psychiatry etc etc a passerby made a remark at me the other day –” He is a big doctor” Actually a new astrology chamber has been opened in the locality. Time is ripe for intellectual paralysis during Modi era in India
i guess i’m a fatalist. i believe everything is predetermined ever since the big bang only because i don’t believe in randomness of variables. I just think the variable we attribute to be random are actually defined by thing we do not or can not figure out. for instance currently it’s impossible to know both the speed and position of an electron and some other basic particles. i believe we will some day find a way to determine both speed and position based off of things we can’t even imagine yet.