"In the final analysis, to my mind there is no argument
against
granting Ph.D.s in astrology merely on the grounds that it has no
predictive value. After all, one can still get a Ph.D. in economics,
right?" Dr. M. Vidyasagar has a question for economists
granting Ph.D.s in astrology merely on the grounds that it has no
predictive value. After all, one can still get a Ph.D. in economics,
right?" Dr. M. Vidyasagar has a question for economists
I feel the
above referred statement must deal with
two subjects whose bandwidth is too vast, depth is too deep and acceptance is
very often ambivalent based on our situation and belief. Both can be termed,
based on certain parameters as pseudo science [for want of empirical reference and
review with specific given situations/probabilities]. I am not referring to
astrology and economics, but to astrology and our process of evaluation of the
subject.
First we
need to be clear about how we proceed to evaluate any subject. In fact,
yesterday I wrote this in my FB for some person who was making a very
prejudiced observation with sweeping generalizations about certain
relationships. However, here I am pushing process of evaluation to the second
position and deal with astrology first.
As for
economics is concerned, it is the most misused subject for various political
and commercial reason with multiple theories. A much maligned subject as you
would know if you read Freakonomics and Super Freakonomics.
1. Astrology
This science by itself is embedded with wide scope for
multiple interpretations, further explorations etc without claiming anything
with any axiomatic certitude. The people
who are even a little conversant with astrology know that there is neither
unique proposition nor final position. They
are many steps for further synthesis in endless steps for the truth and can't
be grasped all at one go, especially not by the mind we are equipped with which
seeks mostly specific outcomes. It delves into several details sincerely trying
to extend the boundaries of our own mind or perception of our position viz à
viz other planets and the effect of their vibrations on life of beings on earth,
and even out of this, to be more precise, about one particular species called human beings.
In
the process astrology has set certain theories based on observations of certain
combinations. Regarding this itself there is still multitude of unending
academic as well as biased debates that is going on endlessly.
Is
astrology all about only some chart drafted or delineated based on time and
place of birth? What is to be determined as time of birth? When the fetus is
exposed to the outside world from the mother’s womb? Or when the conception
starts taking place in the womb? If it were so, how are we going to decide when
the conception took place? Did it start when the lucky sperm and ovum fused together?
Or did start when a strong sperm cell formed in the human body to push away
other cells and gate crashed to become a fertile egg?
Then
which aspect of astrology to be given preference or predominance is it the
Zodiac based on Lagna [ natal chart- position of planets] based on time of
birth? Or to be interpreted based on constant movements of all planets
[gochara]? Are we to go by the static chart or transitory motions? If everything is determined by fate alone,
then, what is the use of freewill? Let us churn up everything. It is an
interesting exercise. Are social status and milieu in which one is born of any
consequence in astrology? If natal chart is like the small hand of a clock
indicating major aspects of time, freewill is like the long hand [minute hand
of a clock] and combined consequences are indicated by the underlying seconds
hand of a clock [In Tamil there is a verse which describes this as Vidhi, Madhi
and Gadhi].
If as
per gochara , i.e. transitory movements or some yoga a person is destined to
encounter something either very good or very bad, what is the use if that
happens when he or she is a very small child or very old and unable to enjoy
the benefit or face the difficulties? Then what must be given priority in
astrology? There are millions of magazines in many languages which discuss the
zodiac based transition every month, every week, every day etc. with some
prediction. Can we divide humanity into 12 stereotyped categories? Can all people
with sun sign Libra have the same impact or effect in their life at a
particular time? The sheer improbability makes us stick on to natal chart and
dasa bhukthi, though maximum money is in interpreting gochara based predictions.
Because in that case we can say now Saturn is moving to your 8th
house so you will face such and such problems , run to astrologers, worship this
or that? Do all these? Can all these stop Saturn from entering your 8th
house or is it meant to not treat Saturn as a guest and ignore? Are we more
powerful than planets, if we have such power then do we need fences around our houses or do we need doors?
The
problem is not with the subject but our lack of understanding, lack of data, lack
of documented reference material with evidences etc. We have never bothered to fully
develop it into an acceptable subject.
Here are
some articles, in general about astrology written by me.
and this one by Osho
2. Evaluation.
Coming to the
aspect of evaluation, how to normally encounter and evaluate any subject or
topic?
It is
preferable to immerse any topic or subject matter, primarily and basically with its intrinsic
elements/components/aspects/attributes intact, into a cauldron which has a mixture of all these- knowledge based
analysis, limited perception based on frames of reference and scales of
observation, skepticism , criticism, intellectual scrutiny, compassionate
emotionalism, humane socialism, rational thinking, contextual relevance [ which
includes too many components] , traditions, practical viability, psychological
comfort, aesthetic sensitivity, scientific scrutiny etc and churn the cauldron without clinging on to any
particular restrictive social, cultural or political or religious identity.
This process
inevitably will bring out lot of outputs. We can exercise our freedom and
sometimes select and choose some of the outputs. Sometimes the outputs will
draw us. Sometimes away from all or any of our intended searches and seeking,
outside the circle of these known paradigms, almost tangentially serendipity
will drag us to an oasis of serene clarity.
At
all costs the intrinsic attributes must be the predominant factor so that whatever is thrown into the
cauldron and however it is churned, the ultimate output must include those attributes so that evaluation is not distorted or desperately
doctored to fit into any predefined and expected outcome.
So what pans
out ultimately depends on various factors and aspects some of which are
explainable within the ken of logical and rational thinking but some are beyond
these.
We can also
observe uneasily how the human intellect polished by a rare faculty [ compared
to other species] of conscious
awareness, capacity to think, store the knowledge, retrieve it for reference
etc, is mostly, unwilling to take the risk of accepting the uncertain; the
intellectually undecipherable and the inexplicable outcomes, even if such
acceptance is branded, extolled and promoted as virtues of humility or modesty.
For example if
one is evaluating music, one must ensure that music quality/musicality as an
intrinsic aspect must be highlighted and then evaluate the other extraneous
factors like who renders it, how it is rendered, who is the composer, what is
the composition, what is the lyrics, how is the acoustic quality, how the
person who is rendering it is dressed, how was the ambiance of the place where
it was rendered etc.
This blog
posting delves rather deep into the process of evaluation
Specifically
the link in that http://contentwriteups.blogspot.in/2013/12/story-of-mango-fruit-sambar-and.html
If you have
enough time you may go through this as well.
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