Astrology

Astrology. Dangerous pseudoscience? Comforting salve in a cold capitalist world? Subjugated knowledge? It's all fun and games when you're looking up your Co-Star horoscope, but according to philosopher Theodor Adorno, even a playful belief in astrology encourages submission to the status quo--and promotes fascist thinking. In this can't-miss episode 32, Ellie and David discuss the psychological appeal of astrology, which is experiencing a huge resurgence today. They also dive deep into the history and science behind the practice. Did you know Johannes Kepler was an astrologer? Or that your star sign is...probably not actually your sign? The episode also gets into the Barnum Effect, and some surprising similarities between astrology, weather forecasts, and personality tests. Works discussed:Theodor Adorno, The Stars Down to EarthNicholas Campion, History of Western AstrologyRoger Beck, A Brief History of Ancient AstrologyThomas Kuhn, The Copernican RevolutionAlexander Boxer, A Scheme of Heaven: The History of Astrology and the Search for our Destiny in DataSilvia Federici, Caliban and the WitchColin Koopman, How We Became Our DataBertram Forer, "The fallacy of personal validation: A classroom demonstration of gullibility"Support Overthink on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/overthinkpodcastWebsite | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail |  Dearoverthink@gmail.comYouTube | Overthink podcastSupport the show