Astrology as Science - Some Thoughts

[Guest guest]

Why we should get back to Classics?

 

What purpose is served by being critical of researches may be understood from the paragraphs below. On the subjective and unscientific researches published in the Astrological Magazine or in other private publications named as 'Journal', astrology cannot establish itself as science. No science is person oriented as we find in astrology. Even Newton or Einstein never claimed that they are the best researchers in Physics. But see the dialogues that have been published in astrology... We all know that such pseudo-talks on Yogis and Pandits cannot make a science. Do you find such talks in any classical texts. See the beautiful verses of Varahamihira - he has not used even a single verse to praise himself or his parentage. Instead he has spoken of the good qualities required for an astrologer.

 

Aryabhata summarized the whole of astronomy in 120 verses and not a single line was used to talk about himself. Such people and their works have survived time... Not those of who have projected their names and parentage to make their works suprascientific...

 

If we want astrology to be a science, get back to classics. The pseudo-research that is being taught at BVB cannot make astrology a science. Those who want to serve astrology must go into manuscript libraries to search out the invaluable treasures that may have been lying unnoticed...

 

Introduction of astrology in Universities may inspire researches or detailed studies and ultimately the society shall be able to realize the truth as to whether it is a useful science/art or not. Condemning a subject without undertaking a proper study of it cannot be regarded as a scientific practice. Astrology is not just horoscope alone, it is also concerned with the Hindu calendar and customs and as such its proper study and practice shall be a matter of social renaissance.

 

Though the controversial decision may be laudable in such respects, I am afraid that the topic as it exists today - with its unscientific foundations and practice and appeal to man's irrational thinking runs exclusively on the exploitation of our psychological weaknesses – may ultimately sabotage what the HRD Minister and UGC have anticipated, the emergence of astrology as a scientific research oriented discipline.

 

My fear is not altogether unfounded because in my experience many of the famous astrologers practice astrology without establishing a set of basic axioms for their practice. As astrology partakes the features of a an occult/esoteric discipline common people and the society as such is unable to conceive a framework of accountability for the astrologers. This has led to rampant commercialization on a pseudo-scientific level that is powerful enough to draw in and destroy the wisdom of new graduates coming out of the Universities in near future. What can be more calamitous to our country, our education system, our national character and our heritage?

 

(a) What safeguards can the society create to prevent the unethical practice of astrology?

 

UGC shall be advising the Government of India to form a regulatory body like the Indian Medical Council [say, Indian Astrological Council] to keep a vigil on the new generation of astrologers that the Universities will produce?

 

(b) What steps have they [hrD Ministry and UGC] initiated for extracting a "professional science" out of the millenniums old garbage that is being commonly referred to as astrology?

 

© What are the credentials of those who have been asked to do the above job? In what way have their distinguished themselves in the field of astrology or other areas of science? How many of these experts have good grasp of astronomy, mathematics and research methodology?

 

(d) Could the experts at UGC arrive at a standard system of study and practice?

 

As any one who is involved with the astrological field knows, there are different schools of astrology which are contradictory to each other even in basic precepts and are practiced through out the world with a closed mind that gives no cognizance to scientific objectivity. Even in India people follow divergent conceptions of Zodiac and mathematico-logical systems with no scope for unanimity among the astrologers. The situation is as ludicrous as the effort to draw circles having different values of p or the use of different numerical values for any physical constant such as the speed of light or the Planck's constant. Vested interests and complacency are the hallmarks of the so-called Vedic astrology today.

 

When we think of giving shape to a curriculum on an ill-defined subject like astrology it is the primary duty of the involved academicians to arrive at a standard system devoid of physical and logical absurdities. Controversies and contradictions need to be tested on the touchstone of scientific objectivity and the ones that stand scientific scrutiny only are to be accepted. Then only a topic can have universal claim as a scientific discipline pursuable in the interests of modern society under the recognition of Universities. Astrology as it exists now fails deplorably in this regard.

 

chandra hari