Why do people believe in Astrology?

Question

What's the basis for this belief? What is the mechanism you believe determines a personality based on when someone was born? Why shouldn't I dismiss this as gibberish just like palmistry and crystal ball reading and tea leaves or random guesswork - all of which test around about the same in scientific studies for predictive accuracy as astrology does.

Answer 1

I suggest you answer your own question by personally exploring astrology. I did, and the final answer was that it's a bunch of crap. But I feel better in saying that having actually researched it.

Generally, the premise is that your personality is determined by the cosmic influence of celestial bodies at the *moment* of your birth. Although people generally consider astrology to be the horoscope presented in the daily paper, modern astrologists really approach it from a pseudo-scientific perspective, and consider the exact position of the sun, planets and constellations at the time of your birth. This level of precision lends some credence to the idea, as it seems scientifically accurate. However, the sceptic must question the conclusions drawn from this analysis. They're often put in general terms that apply to most people, and (more importantly) appeal to our egos or desire for understanding. "Because Mercury was rising, you have a tendency to consider people with a critical eye", or something like that.

I think people want to believe in something, and the stars are a mysterious place in which to find that belief. The generalized horoscopes and such foster that desired belief in astrology. And, probably, the fact that many ancient scholars had a belief in astrology and a real scientific understanding at the same time has perpetuated astrology as a meaningful guide.

Answer 2

Loaded question. There's media astrology and there scolarly astrology. Astrology has a very long history and top of my head i would say the Ayurvedic system would have been one of the first.
It's like the basis for all beliefs. Conviction?
Pythagoras, Aristotle, Plato ... didn't they all have a belief in astrology? Would mathemathics have become what it is today without humans intricate need to make sense of the universe and how it affects him?
To me there is no mechanism. Just a conviction. Although my own convictions are a direct results of my mothers beliefs.

Answer 3

Astrology isn't all about dotty old women with scarves looking at glass balls. A lot of people dismiss it simply because they don't understand it. I have a family friend who is an Astrologer. She is the one who mad me realise that it isn't just random hippy gibberish. There are also a lot of maths and scientific calculations behind it.

Answer 4

well, when one takes into account that people are made up of a huge amount of water, and that celestial bodies influence water on earth in a big way, then its POSSIBLE that it could affect people and their lives...

i leave the door open for these types of things, because there are SO many things in the world that we dont understand yet... ie how come when women spend alot of time together their periods all happen at the same time?

at least SOME of the things that we consider today to be a "sure thing" will probably be disproven sometime in the future

Answer 5

From talking to women (and some guys) then reading between the lines, I figure it's because they need someone to tell them that what they *want* to happen *is* going to happen - regardless of how subjective the response may be.

It may act as fulfillment at a time when they "need to know that everything is going to be alright..." and often offers positive reinforcement.

Now that ain't such a bad thing. Kinda like religion really.

Answer 6

You should dismiss it because Astrology is not a science. Astronomy is. All the others you mentioned, palmistry and crystal ball reading are bunk...as well as cold readings, spiritualism, ghosts, ouija boards and 8 Ball Games.

Answer 7

It is not the science of astrology that gives it its legitimacy , but in fact the clever way Astrologists write and philosophise ,
They write , and structure their literature , in such a way that generally it can be read , interpreted , and associated to many different issues. Giving the reader the impression that what is being said , is relevant to them , and worthy , as a key hole to sole searching , and self development .

Answer 8

I think it passes from friend to friend or parent to child. I always thought people were kidding when they talk about astrology but it turns out many are serious. Some people actually think that I will act a certain way just because I am a "Leo." I think it's all a joke.

Answer 9

Well I feel there is definitely something in it all.

In my younger days girls I took an interest were usually born under one of two star signs.

When you consider that the moon affects tides and we are made up largely by water it is not too difficult to understand that we could be affected by movement of the planets.

Answer 10

I give up, why do people believe in astrology? he he obviously i don't. I can't see any connection with how the stars and planets are aligned the day we were born affecting the future, let alone predicting it.