Is Astrology a Science *An Indian Test of Indian Astrology* Article, The Skeptical Inquirer < csicop.org/si>, < csicop.org/si/archive>, < csicop.org/publications> Jayant V. Narlikar Volume 37.2, March/April 2013 EXCERPTS Indian astrologers claim they can tell a persons intelligence from his or her horoscope. But twenty-seven astrologers failed to perform better than chance when given forty horoscopes of intellectually bright subjects and mentally handicapped subjects. -------------------------- In the world of astrology, India has many claims to fame. It has an astrology fundamentally different from both Chinese and Western astrology,1 possibly more part- and full-time astrologers than in the rest of the world put together, and the worlds longest-running English astrological monthly (The Astrological Magazine 1895-2007). Its main government funding agency, the University Grants Commission, provides support for BSc and MSc courses in astrology in Indian universities. And as for the general public, one finds almost universal belief in it. Indian astronomer and astrology critic Balachandra Rao (2000, 149) notes: The belief in astrology among our masses is so deep that for every trivial decision in their personal lives--like whether to apply for a job or not--they readily rush to the astrologers with their horoscopes. Likewise, many will consult an astrologer to ensure their marriage date will be auspicious. In 1963, the astrologers advice, for example, led to a postponement of the wedding of the Crown Prince of Sikkim by a year. A day seen as generally auspicious can thus lead to a large number of weddings taking place, putting severe pressure on facilities like wedding halls, caterers, etc. ----------------------------------- Prediction of Events Western astrologers are generally taught that astrology is nonfatalistic and therefore not a good bet for predicting events. Indian astrologers hold the opposite view, and every astrologer worthy of the name must be able to make such forecasts. Unfortunately, these predictions do not carry any controls. For example, B.V. Raman (1912-1998), publisher-editor of The Astrological Magazine, wrote that when Saturn was in Aries in 1939 England had to declare war against Germany (note the fatalism) in a work intended to present a case for astrology (Raman 1992, 119). However, this reasoning fails to notice that Saturn was also in Aries in 1909 and 1968 when nothing much happened other than overseas state visits by Edward VII and Elizabeth II, respectively. Conclusion Our experiment with twenty-seven Indian astrologers judging forty horoscopes each, and a team of astrologers judging 200 horoscopes, showed that none were able to tell bright children from mentally handicapped children better than chance. Our results contradict the claims of Indian astrologers and are consistent with the many tests of Western astrologers. In summary, our results are firmly against Indian astrology being considered as a science.7 More details in attachment. Emmanuel Ikan Astillero 1592 Camino de la Fe St. Guadlupe Nuevo Makati 1212 PHILIPPINES Mobile Land
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 05:12:28 +0000
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