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being unscientific
both by scientific bodies and by individual scientists. In 1975, the
American Humanist Association published one of the most widely known
modern criticisms of astrology, characterizing those who continue to
have faith in the subject as doing so "in spite of the fact that
there is no verified scientific basis for their beliefs, and indeed
that there is strong evidence to the contrary".Astronomer Carl Sagan
did not sign the statement, noting that, while he felt astrology
lacked validity, he found the statement's tone authoritarian. He
suggested that the lack of a causal mechanism for astrology was
relevant but not in itself convincing.
Although astrology
has had no accepted scientific standing for some time, it has been
the subject of much research among astrologers since the beginning
of the twentieth century. In his landmark study of twentieth-century
research into natal astrology, vocal astrology critic Geoffrey Dean
noted and documented the burgeoning research activity, primarily
within the astrological community.
Claims about
obstacles to research
Astrologers have
argued that there are significant obstacles in carrying out
scientific research into astrology today, including
funding,[30][31][32] lack of background in science and statistics by
astrologers, and insufficient expertise in astrology by research
scientists.There are only a handful of journals dealing with
scientific research into astrology (i.e. astrological journals
directed towards scientific research or scientific journals
publishing astrological research). Some astrologers have argued that
few practitioners today pursue scientific testing of astrology
because they feel that working with clients on a daily basis
provides a personal validation for them.
Astrologer-astronomer Richard of Wallingford is shown measuring an
equatorium with a pair of compasses in this 14th century work
Another argument
made by astrologers is that most studies of astrology do not reflect
the nature of astrological practice and that existing experimental
methods and research tools are not adequate for studying this
complex discipline. Some astrology proponents claim that the
prevailing attitudes and motives of many opponents of astrology
introduce conscious or unconscious bias in the formulation of
hypotheses to be tested, the conduct of the tests, and the reporting
of results.
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