A Bull-headed Skeptic Takes On Astrology

If you are a believer, don't take my word for this; instead, try this type of test for yourself!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• astrology
• horoscope
• faith
• atheism
• inreasonwetrust

[InReasonWeTrust]

Sparticus: the "observations" that astrologers make is held to have meaning; I explored these interpretations without an a priori assumption that the meaning of observations is true.

[DeimosSaturn]

I would suspect most people's results would make them associate closest to Libra. The predictions for Libra tend to be so vague to the point where those predictions can almost never be wrong and the predictions are usually the most rational and "balanced".

[InReasonWeTrust]

If that was true in this instance, it would explain why my Libra score was so high. If we ignore Libra, however, the pattern still makes no case for astrology. To some degree, all statements had a level of generality; that's why I present my results as residuals above and below the mean.

[InReasonWeTrust]

Yes, but regardless of these "disclaimers" a substantial fraction of readership still takes them seriously. I know people with MS and PhDs who have faith in their sigh because, like me, they share a few traits that are associated with their sign. Also, how would one ever check the credentials of an astrologer? What were the credentials of Jesus as a faith leader? The only measure is to have followers.

[Canaximander]

Astrologers with an old paltry cant and a few pothooks for planets to amuse the vulgar, have too long been suffered to abuse the world.

-Jonathan Swift 1667 - 1745

[InReasonWeTrust]

Lovely quote. Thanks.

[Perceiveall]

Wow. You forgot about houses, the sign of the house, the aspects between the planets. The angles, the MC and IC, the ascendant, the descendant, asteroids among other particulars. And you base it merely on a sun sign? It's like trying to disprove the alphabet via the letter 'A'. Brilliant. Not very critical or thinking for that matter. Lets not forget the transits, stelliums and fixed stars. Even if all planets were in one house (impossible)it would still depend on what house.

[Stormwoken]

This experiment is grosely inaccurate and misleading. No astrologer would claim that you, as a person equal your sun sign on all levels.

Now, are you sure that default online one-line sign traits are good for "debunking" astrology? They only exist to earn money by making you pay or thorough the ads. The astrology itself goes much, much further beyond.

I call that a major flaw in your method.

[SwuaveWEB]

InReasonWeTrust: Sorry man, everyone knows that astrology is fake... we don't really need any more videos on it. Also, why did you take the clip from Carl Sagan's Cosmos and use it as your intro?:>

[johndoe43210]

Good idea. Rationality trumps baloney once again.

[DofS1]

There's ALOT more than just your sun sign. What about the moon? Mercury? And other planets that effect a person?

[deceasedheart777]

You've completely avoided everything that Astrology is to an individual. Excluding account the year of birth, the Hemisphere you were born in, time of day (Minutes matter), and the actual houses that your specific sign falls under, including which Decanate. Astrology is not how you're life will be lead, but simply how well you can live your life. You make the choices the stars power you. That's why you have negative and positive effects. Read more before diving into a conclusion.

[DeimosSaturn]

The mind can make anything chaotic maintain the illusion of total coherence.

I'm starting to realize no formula in predictions are necessary, all that's necessary is a person who lacks objectivity.