In the same way that scientific theories create expectations, some people utilize astrology to create expectations about upcoming events and people’s personalities. Additionally, some assert that the experiences of those who feel that astrology has been successful for them serve as evidence that astrology is true.
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Do people genuinely hold astrology in high regard?
Christine Smallwood’s article, “Astrology in the age of uncertainty:
Since the 1970s, astrology has not experienced such widespread popular acceptance as it is experiencing today. The transition got going with the invention of the personal computer, picked up speed with the Internet, and is now moving at even faster rates thanks to social media. Nearly 30% of Americans, according to a 2017 Pew Research Center survey, believe in astrology.
Astrology has taken hold in our collective vernacular much like psychoanalysis once did. At a party in the middle of the 20th century, you could have heard people discuss their id, ego, or superego; nowadays, it’s typical to hear people describe their own sun, moon, and rising signs. Not just because you hear it. People who don’t consider themselves kooks or climate change deniers and who see no conflict between utilizing astrology and believing in science are the ones who are saying it.
I quickly looked online and discovered this Pew research from October 2018:
The breakdown of religion was the one thing about this table that really surprised me.
I had a hazy impression of mainline Protestants as being sane people, but they share the broader public’s belief in astrology.
But hey, they seem like normal Americans (on the whole), therefore I suppose they hold typical American ideals.
It’s also remarkable that only 3% of atheists consider astrology to be true.
This makes sense, I suppose, but it always seemed conceivable to me for someone to reject traditional religion in favor of other supernatural beliefs. In fact, I could envision astrology as a kind of stand-in for a traditional religious system.
But perhaps not.
I’ve likened Brian Wansink to an astrologer who, using a combination of persuasiveness and qualitative knowledge of the world, can make shrewd insights about the world. I then attribute his success to tarot cards or tea leaves rather than to a more practical capacity to synthesize ideas and come up with interesting stories.
But does Brian Wansink genuinely hold this belief?
What about the group of persons, like Marc Hauser, Ed Wegman, Susan Fiske, and others, who like to refer to their detractors as “second-string, replication police, methodological terrorists, Stasi, etc.?
Astrology, which represents a rival belief system and is in some ways an alternative to rah-rah Ted-talk science, makes me suspect that they have this idea.
Although I wouldn’t be shocked if well-known ESP researchers believed in astrology, I also have the impression that mainstream junk-science proponents in academia and the media prefer not to discuss ESP since those study methodologies are too similar to their own.
They don’t want to support ESP researchers since doing so would bring into question their own work by association, but they also don’t want to cast them in a negative light because they are fellow Ivy League academics, so their best course of action is to remain silent.
The bigger issue, however, is not astrology believing per se, but rather the mentality that enables people to have beliefs that are so incompatible with our scientific understanding of the world.
(All right, I’m sorry to the 29% of you who don’t agree with me on this.
When I resume writing about statistical graphics, model checking, Bayesian computation, Jamaican beef patties, etc., you can rejoin the group.)
It’s not that astrology couldn’t be true a priori:
We can come up with plausible explanations for why astrology is real and spectacular, just like we can for embodied cognition, beauty and sex ratio, ovulation and voting, air rage, ages ending in 9, and all the other Psychological Science / PNAS classics.
Just that not much has surfaced after extensive research over many years.
The existing theories are also not very convincing; they are bank-shot models of the world, which could be acceptable if the objective was to understand a genuine and enduring reality, but which are less than compelling in the absence of empirical data.
In any case, the point is that if 30% of Americans are willing to accept this kind of evidence, it should come as no surprise that a nontrivial percentage of influential American psychology professors will have a similar attitude toward scientific theory and evidence. This attitude would cause them to have strong beliefs in weak theories that are not adequately supported by any available evidence.
Support for the broad idea that we should be kind to pseudoscientific hypotheses is provided, not simply for specific weak theories (although, oddly enough, maybe not for astrology itself).
P.S. Belief in astrology (or, for that matter, belief in heaven, the law of gravity, or the square-cube rule) is essentially costless. This is in contrast to psychology professors who advocate theories like the “critical positivity ratio which make astrology look positively reasonable in comparison.”
Why not accept or reject these claims?
Contrarily, acceptance or rejection of evolution, climate change, or latent bias may have societal or political repercussions.
While some ideas primarily affect personal decisions, others have more immediate policy ramifications.
I am less tolerant of well-known academic and media elites who adamantly promote junk science when they not only declare their confidence in speculative hypotheses backed by no solid evidence but also launch an offensive against those who call these emperors’ nudity out. Additionally, even a hypothetically tolerant and open-minded junk science supporterthe kind of person who might hold to the critical positivity ratio but actively encourage the publication of critiques of that workcould still cause some harm by contaminating scientific journals and the news media with subpar research and by promoting shoddy work that takes up less space for more thorough investigation.
You know how it’s said that science corrects itself, but only if individuals are willing to do so?
Gresham’s law is also true, but only to the extent that people are ready to use fake currency or to utilize money that they believe to be fake while staying quiet until they can sell their massive amounts of worthless stock.
P.P.S. Just to be clear: No, I do not believe that astrology is a waste of time, and it is possible that Marc Hauser was onto something even though he was faking data. For example, the critical positivity ratio, ovulation, voting, and all the other phenomena could all be true.
Simply because a theory lacks solid support does not equate to its falsity.
I’m not looking to disprove any of these assertions.
All of it should be published someplace, along with all of the criticism.
It’s not just that I and others find trash science to be problematicwe might all be mistaken!that bothers me about those who support it.
but that they persistently avoid, repress, and combat honest open criticism.
PS. Once more, #notallpsychologists
Of course, the issue of junk research is not at all limited to psychology.
This could also mess up the research of professors of political science, economics, sociology, and history who have strong beliefs in astrology, spoon-bending, or whatever (i.e., who believe that “scientific paranormalism” actually describes something true about the natural world rather than just a “anthropological recognition that paranormal beliefs can affect the world because people believe in them).
It’s probably not a major concern if a physicist or chemist holds these beliefs.
Again, I’d like to emphasize that I’m not attempting to stop study into astrology, embodied cognition, ESP, the beauty-to-sex ratio, endless soup bowls, spoon bending, the Bible Code, air anger, ovulation and voting, subliminal smiley faces, etc.
Activate a thousand blossoms!
This post’s main argument is that it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many professional scientists have this mindset given that a sizable portion of the populace is willing to believe in scientifically sounding notions that are not supported by any compelling scientific theory or data.
In psychology, an important field of study where theories might be hazy and where there is a long legacy of belief and action supported by questionable data, the repercussions happen to show themselves particularly strongly.
Psychologists aren’t necessarily awful people; they’re just working on challenging issues in an academic system that has a long history of failures.
Again, this is not a complaint; it is simply the way things are. Of course, a lot of excellent research is being done in the field of psychology. You must make the most of your past experiences.
Why ought we to trust astrology?
Despite having no scientific basis and being a multi-billion dollar industry globally, astrology. With the introduction of digital technology, the market for this pseudoscience has grown significantly, especially in India.
“When, as predicted, everyone born under the sign of Scorpio was ran over by an egg truck, a newspaper cartoon from 1983 reads, ridiculing the supremely generic, non-specific forecasts made by astrologers, “the practice of astrology took a huge step toward earning legitimacy today.”
Then why do individuals still adhere to this pseudoscience in spite of years and layers of criticism? Psychologists say there are a number of causes.
People are always looking for stories to help them connect their history, present, and future through their objectives and expectations.
and astrology has a role in this “Monisha Pasupathi, a developmental psychologist at the University of Utah, told The Atlantic that her research gives a “very clear context” for that argument. Numerous websites on the internet offer listicles on personality attributes associated with various sun signs, and for some people, astrology aids in the creation and validation of their sense of self. Additionally, astrology can also provide certain people a sense of community. According to Margaret Hamilton, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin, “It enables you to understand yourself as a component of the world: “Here’s where I fit in, yeah, I’m a Pisces,” who spoke to Smithsonian Magazine in 2016.
Studies also reveal that people frequently use astrology as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety. “According to Graham Tyson, a professor of psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, during high stress, a human is willing to utilize astrology as a coping mechanism while not believing in it under low stress. In reality, in August 1930, amid the height of the Great Depression, a newspaper ordered its first astrology column. Again, individuals looked to astrologers to predict their futures amid the financial crisis of 2008. “All of those supports on which people had relied began to fail. A lot of individuals enter it in this way. They ask, “What’s happening in my life? When reflecting on 2008, astrologer Rebecca Gordon told The New Yorker that “nothing makes sense.”
Is it against the law to believe in horoscopes?
Astrology is the study of celestial body motions and alignments that are thought to have an impact on both the natural world and human affairs. According to historian Emilie Savage-Smith, astrology (also known as ilm al-nujm, “the study of the stars”) was “by far” the most widely used of the “many disciplines aiming to forecast future events or perceive hidden phenomena” in early Islamic history.
Despite Islamic prohibitions, some Muslims in the Middle Ages were interested in studying the apparent motion of the stars. This was due in part to their belief that celestial bodies were necessary, as well as the fact that desert nomads frequently traveled at night and relied on knowledge of the constellations to direct them. The need for Muslims to determine the time of the prayers, the direction the Kaaba should face, and the proper orientation of the mosque after the advent of Islam helped give astronomy a religious impetus and contributed to the idea that celestial bodies had an impact on both terrestrial affairs and human condition.
Islam’s position on astrology is governed by Islamic law, the Quran, the Hadith, the Ijma (scholarly consensus), and Qiyas (analogy). The concept’s classification is further broken down into halal (authorized) and haram (forbidden) categories (forbidden). Astrology is prohibited by the authorities, as stated in the Quran and Hadith, according to all Islamic sects and experts.
What exactly does it mean to follow the zodiac?
Astrology: Is it true? Although reading horoscopes is a well-liked past time, is there any scientific evidence that it has any significance?
When you are lured by a familiar interruption and your willpower wanes, problems may result.
Up to 70 million Americans consult their horoscopes every day. At least that is what the American Federation of Astrologers claims. A Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life research conducted twenty years ago found that 25% of Americans thought that the positions of the stars and planets had an impact on our daily life. According to the General Social Survey from 2012, 34% of Americans asked think astrology is “extremely” or “kind of” scientific. The percentage of those who think astrology is “not at all scientific” has decreased from two-thirds to roughly one-half.
The concept that astronomical phenomena, such as the stars above when you were born or the fact that Mercury is in retrograde, have the ability to affect the daily happenings in our lives and our personality traits is commonly referred to as astrology. The study of astronomy, which is the scientific study of celestial objects, space, and the mechanics of the cosmos, is obviously very different from this.
An element of astrology in particular that is gaining popularity is the ability to predict one’s future or provide advise on daily actions through horoscopes. Horoscope pages saw a 150 percent spike in hits in 2017 compared to 2016, according to publications like The Cut.
It’s obvious that many individuals are looking for methods of star interpretation. Understanding the locations of the stars, the basis of astrology, seems to be a sufficiently scientific endeavor. But can science support the idea that astrology has an impact on our personalities and our lives?
But since I have you for the remaining five minutes of this six-minute-or-so podcast, let’s examine the precise methods by which astrology has been put to the test.
What is said about star signs in the Bible?
I believe that astrology was a tool God created for us to use as a spiritual tool and to better understand ourselves. I think there are numerous scriptural passages that lend credibility to astrology. I concentrate on what Jesus taught as a Christian. When Christ prophesied in Luke 21:25, “There shall be signs in the sun, moon, and stars,” he was referring to the significance of astrology. He talks to the disciples about the significance of astrology and how it might be interpreted as a sign of his coming back. Why would Jesus reveal this crucial information to us if we are not intended to interpret the energies of the planets and signs and if he actually opposed it? Jesus warned us that there will be signals in the sky upon his return, just as the three wise men understood that Jesus would be born under the star in the sky that guided them to him lying in the manger.
Do Christians accept astrology to be true?
Early Christians supported astrology, but during the Middle Ages, it was less popular. In the West, support for it surged once more during the Renaissance.
A religion or a science?
Astrology is a perfect fusion of science and art that uses the positions of celestial bodies, whereas every religion merely consists of a set of laws based on a set of beliefs. Therefore, despite the fact that Hindus and Christians both adhere to “the science of light” or “Jyotish Shastra,” fortune telling is still essentially the same.
Surprisingly, these predictions or prophecies appear in all cultures and religions. The outcomes remain the same, regardless of the methods used. Have you ever wondered how these ideas can be related despite the fact that the belief ecosystem is so dissimilar? That being said, it should go without saying that everyone is and will continue to be concerned about their future, strive to be their best selves, and overcome obstacles with ease. Nearly everyone else wants to know what will happen in advance so they can act appropriately when things do interact. People of many faiths and civilizations can attest to this.
There are computations in every religion, however the procedures may vary. However, the outcomes are the same. Nearly everyone else wants to know what will happen in advance so they can act appropriately when things do interact. People of many faiths and civilizations can attest to this. There are many perspectives on the matter, but learning is the key. Choose an astrological school from the various online astrology courses that teaches you everything. Online astrology classes are available, as well as distance learning astrology courses.
Have you ever observed how our festivals are set up in relation to astrology and religion? The celebrations show how astrology and religion are related. If one looks closely enough, they will see that all of the festivals are determined by the positions of the sun, moon, and stars. This happens in all religions, to the extent that astrology has taken on a crucial role in religious rituals.
As a result, if you look for evidence from antiquity to the present, you will see a wide range of astrological systems that grew out of many other systems but ultimately pointed to a tie between astrology and religion. One of the most well-liked astrologies in India is the old Vedic astrology.
Astrology is the foundation of Hinduism. People hurry to their astrologer as soon as a baby is born to get his “Janam Patri” made and to select the best name for him. Numerous Hindu epics, including the Mahabharata, make reference to astrology. Initially, astrology knowledge was solely available to “Brahmins.” Then they would sit within the temples and see into the future. Thus, a connection between Hinduism and astrology was established.
As time went on, the general public in the region had greater access to the idea of astrology. In 2020, lessons and study materials will be available for everyone with even a passing interest in astrology. The movement of the planets is calculated in astrology, which then interprets the results. It doesn’t depend on irrational predictions. Many Hindu households consult their astrologer before making any significant decisions.
Islam also holds this concept in astrology. Their ancestors believed that the motion of the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies might affect the lives of humans who lived on the planet, according to the top astrologer in India. Over time, their belief in astrology has waned, and now just a few people still have that belief. Everything is dependent on the person. Astrology may not be accepted by someone who practices Islam to the letter, but it may be trusted by someone who rejects all organized religion.
Christianity is the only religion that stands out in terms of astrology belief. The Bible outright condemns people from putting their faith in astrology. Despite this, there are numerous astrologers in the west. They assert that the Bible has been misinterpreted and that it contains warnings regarding the misdeeds of particular people. Western nations have much fewer astrologers than a location like India. Additionally, it shows how little astrology is respected in the West. The Bible only validates the general skepticism that people previously had about astrology. As a result, very few Christians hold astrology to be true.
India is probably the country with the highest belief in astrology. At least once in their life, more than half of people have consulted an astrologer. It is plausible to suppose that astrology adherents are common in India because both Hinduism and Islam are widely practiced there. Astrology does a fantastic job of foretelling the future and providing solutions to issues.
Different people have different belief systems, and it is up to each individual to decide what they choose to believe. A 5000-year-old practice, astrology is still popular today. This increases our confidence in astrology.
Several crucial details:
- When priests and other religious leaders attempted to interpret and mediate all religious experiences from their positions of authority, this is when some devout religious believers’ objections first surfaced. Before the emergence of male-dominated organized religion, our ancestors looked to the stars for divine inspiration and believed that they were an intricate part of a developing universe.
- Anyone could practice astrology as a method and adopt the belief system that it is based on, which is an enchantment with the divine orchestrations of the heavens. Astrology asserts the existence of an unlimited and purposeful intellect that permeates the skies and the earth in a great symphony of meaning rather than requiring the worship of a specific deity or figurehead.
A reputable, objective astrologer can help a client develop their confidence. I’ve helped some clients rediscover and activate their religious roots through an analysis of their chart, guiding them toward the strength that comes from following a religious path.
For some people, religion is essential to their psychological and mental health. Astrological concepts and practices are devoid of sexism, racism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, in contrast to many organized faiths. Even the outdated astrological metaphors of male and female planets and energies have been replaced with receptive and active energies that express themselves in a unisex manner. Every person has a significant place at the cosmic table, just as every planet and star has a certain location in the sky.
There is a lot to cover in this subject, so I’m not sure if I’ve covered it all. Please read my column for future discussion of this subject.