Good post, but I have to say that the Astrology post is not Pseudoscience. It doesn't mean to be scientific, it's about the Vedic tradition.
Of course it's not scientific to believe in astrology, but it can be studied by a historical / philosophical point of view.
Personally I'm not a fan of Astrology, just wanted to let you know my mind.
Thanks for your comment.
Vedic astrology is pseudoscience. It is used for "making decisions made about marriage, opening a new business, and moving into a new home". Just like with Western astrology it is a belief that some random and arbitrary positions or movements of astronomical objects is going to develop.
Analyzing it's historical development does not mean that it is not pseudoscience.
I think that the definition of pseudoscience is "some theory which claims to be scientific and have scientific foundations, but it isn't" or at least this is my idea of that word.
So, astrology doesn't claim to be scientific and horoscopes don't claim to have scientific foundations, therefore can not be considered pseudoscience, but just non-scientific.
Pseudoscience is when your experiement cannot be replicated and is not falsifiable.
Astrology fails in both. miserably and right off the bat. The gravitational pull of the doctor giving birth to you is greater than any other planetary alligment at the time of your birth.
You see? Highschool physics can toss out of the window any spirtual crap
Bothe Western and Eastern astrologers persistently claim that it is based in science.
Also, Hindu astrology was forced to become University faculty in India despite large protests of scientific community in India.
Still Bullshit mate
Actually, @andrew0, astrology holds a lot of weight when studied properly. The form that it is in as it is presented to the masses is a massive distraction. Firstly, the use of tropical astrology basis its planet's positioning where the planets were 2000 years ago when Vedic astrology began. This does not take into account procession of the solar system through the galaxy, changing our north oriented star over time. Sidereal astrology however allows for the positioning of where the planets are now.
Here's a neat experiment that was conducted to show that the planets' positions do cause an effect on objects here on our planet: http://www.sciencegroup.org.uk/capdyn.htm
Thanks for your feedback, I will check the link and let you know :)
How old is the Vedas?
Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures - Rig, Yajur and Sam) are quite old. The oldest among them, Rig Veda might be 7000 years old (5000 BC or earlier).
http://creative.sulekha.com/how-old-are-the-vedas-and-who-can-read-them_170678_blog
Astronomy is primarily superstition, but it's usually backed by at least some pseudoscientific claims.
You meant to say astrology, I hope.
As for what Astronomy is capable of?
And Astrology??
Yes, big mistake! Sorry about the brainfart people.