tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552616.post4325434109906095246..comments2023-10-11T07:06:43.878-04:00Comments on Puntocracy: Astrology Science or Pseudo-ScienceRoycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06512845138486873008noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552616.post-32408949863586255032009-12-30T00:56:26.538-05:002009-12-30T00:56:26.538-05:00You obviously were mistakenYou obviously were mistakenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552616.post-12609960177316101582008-05-05T20:17:00.000-04:002008-05-05T20:17:00.000-04:00As an astrologer, not a scientist, I agree with yo...As an astrologer, not a scientist, I agree with your suggested line of thinking. Astrological interpretations do not have a currently definable physical mechanism to explain them. Neither does poetry and yet poetry plays its role in our social workings and has had decided historical influence. This thought-provoking and even soul-stirring stuff has yet to be proven to exist from a scientific point of view. No Duke University testing by a Dr. Rhien measured the moment or circumstances of inspiration, or the means by which a poet breaks the rules of his art to redefine it. Still, that's the very substance of poetry. Likewise, the scientifically unproven efficacy of astrological calculations also plays social and historical roles. I agree with you that such calculations are most likely not the workings of scientific formulae as much as the unlocking of the astrologer's own avenues to insight.<BR/><BR/>But please don't leave off there, Royce. The origins of astrology date back to the middle eastern cultures of some 5000 years ago. What those struggling intellects managed by marking out astral positions in mud was no less than the invention of the scientific method. Direct observation over hundreds of years, comparing their celestial observations with earthly doings, i.e. wars, river levels, market fluctuations, dreams and more, made up the body of knowledge which became lore. <BR/><BR/>Astrology will always have adherents, even as it wanes and waxes in favor. Students of history, sociology, and even science do not, however, always have access to pertinent information. Langdon, Sayce, Kugler and far too many other early Assyriologists fall from print and are lost in the modern mantra that we have learned so much more that we need not look to those earlier days. Astrologers defensively support their work with ridiculous arguments while would-be critical thinkers use propaganda rather than reason to debunk it.<BR/><BR/>Hard science is certainly not the standard of some of astrology's more vociferous critics. If you haven't already done so, please see: http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_articles/astop_astrology.htm. Dr. Rory Coker, of the University of Texas at Austin, claims a hard science background but in preparing his "fact sheet" on astrology for ASTOP (Austin Society To Oppose Pseudoscience), he uses blatant propaganda techniques. This last inflammatory statement is more than substantiated at noapologyforastrology.wordpress.com.<BR/><BR/>It is easy to appreciate the motives for defensive reactions by astrologers. Plumbing the motives of the ilk of Coker is a somewhat different and more relevant matter.<BR/> <BR/>Thanks for adding your note of sober reason to the hue and cry of emotionalism.<BR/><BR/>noapologyforastrology.wordpress.net<BR/>magician@actualastrology.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552616.post-44792983142436431412008-05-05T14:52:00.000-04:002008-05-05T14:52:00.000-04:00Thanks so much for this post! I too am concerned a...Thanks so much for this post! I too am concerned about scholars presenting theories as facts. <BR/><BR/>I have just started a blog that I think you will find interesting; please visit me at academichatecrimes.wordpress.com.<BR/>The purpose of my blog is to provide evidence of unethical practices in the fields of Near Eastern archaeology and classical studies. I have been researching this issue for over ten years.<BR/><BR/>Hoping to dialogue with you about this and other topics of mutual interest,<BR/><BR/>Pam GreenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com