Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
A well-articulated response, Ustwo. Good work, and an enjoyable read. So does this mean that you are willing to accept astrology at least on the level of its having a positive placebo effect on some?
|
Yes, of course.
I think religion does as well.
There is a problem though, for a placebo to work the 'patient' must not know it is a placebo.
Placebos are used in controlled conditions, which someone who knows its a placebo monitoring. While placebos often work, they don't work on everyone, and that must be monitored by someone who can recommend 'real' treatment if its required.
This isn't done and I can't think of how it could be done for astrology. Perhaps a psychiatrist could 'prescribe' an astrology session for a patient, and then see how they do under it, but would the astrologer be in on the placebo?
Also deeper, is that belief in such ideas leaves you open to other pseduo-science and false claims. It embraces a lack of critical thinking on the part of the individual which I think is unhealthy. There are other ways to learn to deal with lifes problem beyond pretending its all in a star chart.