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They're engaging in a traditional motte and bailey argument. Astrology is bullshit mysticism, so you can't defend it on any practical issue. But it is fanciful
by bena 7y ago
They're engaging in a traditional motte and bailey argument.
Astrology is bullshit mysticism, so you can't defend it on any practical issue. But it is fanciful, so you can kinda suggest that it has some value as fiction.
But Harry Potter is just as fanciful and no one is trying to predict the future by figuring out which House they belong to. Which is just about as useful as astrology.
- jmkd 7y agoWas unaware of motte and bailey so thanks for the heads up. You can say astrology is bullshit mysticism if you can also say religion is bullshit mysticism. If you want to say the latter that's fine, but I believe the discussion should be more nuanced (despite being an anti-theist myself). I'm just trying to find a way to say that astrology is a bigger, broader topic than those merely aware of newspaper horoscopes know about. As such to discuss it in a single generalist put down is to exhibit ignorance of or disinterest in complexity.
- bena 7y agoOk. Religion is bullshit mysticism. I'm not a big believer in the paranormal