A lot of thinks that are scientific fact were once thought of as superstition, like the moon effecting the tides and hypnosis. Somethings that were one thought to be sound science have been discredited like eugenics, much of freudism.
2007-08-03 06:04:54 · 2 answers · asked by wisemancumth 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Freud used hypnosis, but his explanation for how it works has been discredited.
2007-08-03 06:07:31 · update #1
Because the very word "superstition" implies that the belief is not based on scientific data or observation, but on some unfounded belief. If the superstion is later found to have scientific validity (and, let's face it, this happens very seldomly), then it's no longer considered to be a superstition. I guess we'll have to wait and see whether throwing salt over your shoulder or knocking on wood is ever proven to lead to good luck.
2007-08-03 06:11:45 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We modern humans believe we just about know it all. We also, without coming out and saying so, believe all the humans who lived before us, observed, tested, and believed various things, weren't as smart as we are.
What they believed, we call superstition.
What we believe, we call fact.
Just arrogance and misplaced certainty, mostly.
2007-08-05 16:19:03 · answer #2 · answered by Jack P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋