Astrology a science or just another art form?
July 26th 2007 04:41
Firstly I need to preface this blog in that I do conduct Tarot and astrology readings I tend to think of this practice as an art not a science, for myself its just a bit of fun.
This blog is not intended as a criticism on the art of Astrology or question its validity at this time, but is meant as a source of discourse on the question.
There has in fact been very little serious research into astrology and its claims and what work
There has been very little serious scientific research into astrology and its claims, the work that has been done so far has produced mixed results and in all probability the predicted outcome is no better than random chance. However I am digressing.
The question is whether astrology is a science or art. Sometimes astrology appears to be scientific, based on rules and regulations. While there is no “scientific” methods in astrology that can be proven, when viewed form another prospective astrology can be perceived to be an art form.
Is there a test to shed any light on whether astrology is a belief or science? The answer can be given in part by a research group in London called Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit. (APRU) it defines astrology to be within the study of other phenomena for which the scientifically acceptable evidence is slight or ambiguous. The APRU takes the view if phenomena such as astrology have no basis in fact; 'belief' in them may be explained according to psychological factors; factors I won’t go into at this time.
Some astrologers claim that traditional astrology is a science, while others want to create a new scientific astrology separate from traditional practices. However, when modern scientific methods are employed which requires that theories be tested through experiments under controlled conditions and that these experiments be repeatable.
Astrological charts are by virtue individualistic therefore no two charts are identical thus making the “repeating” testing component of the experiment difficult to accomplish. When viewing at a horoscope or star chart and it perhaps makes the person reading it feel better is the outcome a scientific outcome or is it based on faith that was is in a person’s daily horoscope is believable to the individual?
I would be interested in any comments
This blog is not intended as a criticism on the art of Astrology or question its validity at this time, but is meant as a source of discourse on the question.
There has in fact been very little serious research into astrology and its claims and what work
There has been very little serious scientific research into astrology and its claims, the work that has been done so far has produced mixed results and in all probability the predicted outcome is no better than random chance. However I am digressing.
The question is whether astrology is a science or art. Sometimes astrology appears to be scientific, based on rules and regulations. While there is no “scientific” methods in astrology that can be proven, when viewed form another prospective astrology can be perceived to be an art form.
Is there a test to shed any light on whether astrology is a belief or science? The answer can be given in part by a research group in London called Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit. (APRU) it defines astrology to be within the study of other phenomena for which the scientifically acceptable evidence is slight or ambiguous. The APRU takes the view if phenomena such as astrology have no basis in fact; 'belief' in them may be explained according to psychological factors; factors I won’t go into at this time.
Some astrologers claim that traditional astrology is a science, while others want to create a new scientific astrology separate from traditional practices. However, when modern scientific methods are employed which requires that theories be tested through experiments under controlled conditions and that these experiments be repeatable.
Astrological charts are by virtue individualistic therefore no two charts are identical thus making the “repeating” testing component of the experiment difficult to accomplish. When viewing at a horoscope or star chart and it perhaps makes the person reading it feel better is the outcome a scientific outcome or is it based on faith that was is in a person’s daily horoscope is believable to the individual?
I would be interested in any comments
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Anyway, when at my friend's house, something as oddball was always happening, mainly because his dad was a psychiatrist, who loved testing you with his weird sense of humour, which sometimes bordered on the really bizarre, leaving me wondering whether he needed his own serivices!
Anyway, one particular day, my friend's dad called us into his study, (he overheard us talking about astrology or star signs or some such), anyway, it was fun to check out his study because he had a human skull sitting on his desk, and in an oval tin, immersed in formaldehyde, was a human brain, that was gross, but we loved being horrified as most young boys do.
this particular day, the good doctor said, "see that large book there, pick it up and open it at your star sign". The book was enormous, with a deep green cover I remember, and then he said follow the headings till you find your description, which included hair colour, sex etc.
Anyway, I arrived at the summary paragraph...he said "what does it say?", so I duly read it out and as I did my mouth dropped open and he laughed, then said, "amazing isn't it?"
And indeed it was, for there before me was a psychological sketch of who I was, and it was accurate at the time!!!!!!!!!
I then asked the doctor if he believed in astrology? He laughed again and said, "What? Nooo, of course not!" "But fascinating isn't it?"
I really was confused, how could he not believe in something that so well described your person and inner self? He dismissed it as a magic trick to be used for entertainment, but, it has always left me wondering, how on earth could it work?
fog