pseudo science and alternative belief systems

Pseudoscience, New age beliefs, astrology, alternative healings such as homeopathy, rheiki, crystal energy healing and all other sorts of scientifically untested medicinal procedures have skyrocketed whithin the past 20 years or so. I have inquired as to what makes these alternative medicines so appealing and why people seek them out abandoning conventional practices in the first place. modernity brought upon the age of reason, man let go of his dogmatic belief in the unseen and started observing the seen physical world making his own responcibility in trying to explain natural phenomena. this was accomplished through experimentations, by testing under natural and controlled conditions whether archaic/mythical beliefs were "real" or whether certain beliefs were wrought upon delusions to help man cope with his own existence. it is remarkable to see that even in the postmodern age where we depend on the historical findings of scientific truth, that many of us refuse to accept its validity and in many cases refuse medical treatment that has been proven to help the pathology at hand.

astrology is indeed one of the most pervasive new age beliefs. it has survived chirstian persecution, and even smiles smugly at in the face of reason. Nearly every human in the western hemisphere has brushed contact with astrology, it is popularized in newspapers, magazine collumns, entire books and philosophies are published upon its behalf. even i have submerssed myself into the new age culture and astrological traditions myself to find that whithin my own experience the readings and results of such to be rather interesting and in many cases accurate. now as i sit back and take a critical perspective on the suject i look at astrology under the scrutinizing eye of critical thinking too see what the emperical eye observes. wikipedia defines astrology as "a group of systems, traditions, and beliefs in which knowledge about the relative positions of celestial bodies and related details aids in understanding, interpreting, and organizing information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters. Astrologers believe that the movements and positions of celestial bodies either directly influence life on Earth or correspond somehow to events experienced on a human scale. Modern astrologers define astrology as a symbolic language, an art form, and a form of divination, whereas many scientists have labeled it a pseudoscience or superstition." is this merely suggestive wishful thinking, or is something our of the ordinary actually occuring here beneath scientifical explanation? i have tried to look for the mechanics and methadology as to how it was discovered that celestial cosmic bodies were significant and influential to everyday human life. how is it possible that constellations assignned to an individual according to the date of his birth be affected by the entity or archtype in which astrological house he inhabits?

astrologers have not presented consistent physical mechanistic explanations as to how cosmic bodies influence earthly events. some astrologers have suggested that a more casual subtle relationship exists beyond scientific detection. An editorial published by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific reports that they can find no evidence for a scientifically defined mechanism by which celestial objects can influence terrestrial affairs. basically it cannot be proven by scientifical trial. Still others have argued that empirical correlations can stand on their own epistemology, and do not need the support of any theory or mechanism. To some observers, these non-mechanistic concepts raise serious questions about the feasibility of validating astrology through scientific testing, and some have gone so far as to reject the applicability of the scientific method to astrology almost entirely. Some astrologers, on the other hand, believe that astrology is amenable to the scientific method, given sufficiently sophisticated analytical methods, and they cite pilot studies to support this view.

if the scientific method cannot be applied to astrology, then what can? it appears to be as unmeasurable as whithin the argument of the Judeo/christian god. does the mere belief in something illicit a response? is it self induced delusion? or is there actually something occuring that is beyond conventional detection, perhaps the leap of faith is actually required in this case to be in "tune" with the results. does it hold literal truth, is it merely metaphorical or is it a false outdated method. i personally have a very keen interest on the subject but at the same time i do not devote my entire belief on it. it must be verified by trial where evidence is supported or it must be experienced in full effect. it would be foolish to assume otherwise. i will say though that astrology has a fundamental role in filling necessary gaps whithin the human experience, after all it did pave the way for astronomy. regardless of its alltruistic debate it still exists and therefore is a perfect manifestation of spirit as is science. its awe is whithin its existence itself and must be respected as such, the relationship it has with science is secular and represents the eternal struggle between rationality and irrationality. the belief lies whithin the beholder in this case so you choose, pre-rational mumbo jumbo? or otherwordly knowledge?


NEXT I TACKLE HOMEOPATHY!!!!

TBC.......