Objections to Astrology (ASSTROLOGY)
A Statement by 186 Leading Scientists

(The following statement first appeared in The Humanist of
September/October 1975.)

Scientists in a variety of fields have become concerned about the
increased acceptance of astrology in many parts of the world. We, the
undersigned--astronomers, astrophysicists, and scientists in other
fields--wish to caution the public against the unquestioning acceptance
of the predictions and advice given privately and publicly by
astrologers. Those who wish to believe in astrology should realize that
there is no scientific foundation for its tenets.

In ancient times people believed in the predictions and advice of
astrologers because astrology was part and parcel of their magical
world view. They looked upon celestial objects as abodes or omens of
the gods and, thus, intimately connected with events here on earth;
they had no concept of the vast distances from the earth to the planets
and stars. Now that these distances can and have been calculated, we
can see how infinitesimally small are the gravitational and other
effects produced by the distant planets and the far more distant stars.
It is simply a mistake to imagine that the forces exerted by stars and
planets at the moment of birth can in any way shape our futures.
Neither is it true that the position of distant heavenly bodies make
certain days or periods more favorable to particular kinds of action,
or that the sign under which one was born determines one's
compatibility or incompatibility with other people.

Why do people believe in astrology? In these uncertain times many long
for the comfort of having guidance in making decisions. They would like
to believe in a destiny predetermined by astral forces beyond their
control. However, we must all face the world, and we must realize that
our futures lie in ourselves, and not in the stars.

One would imagine, in this day of widespread enlightenment and
education, that it would be unnecessary to debunk beliefs based on
magic and superstition. Yet, acceptance of astrology pervades modern
society. We are especially disturbed by the continued uncritical
dissemination of astrological charts, forecasts, and horoscopes by the
media and by otherwise reputable newspapers, magazines, and book
publishers. This can only contribute to the growth of irrationalism and
obscurantism. We believe that the time has come to challenge directly,
and forcefully, the pretentious claims of astrological charlatans.

It should be apparent that those individuals who continue to have faith
in astrology do 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.

Sponsoring Committee

(Affiliations, as of 1975, given for identification only.)

Bart J. Bok, emeritus
Professor of Astronomy
University of Arizona

Lawrence E. Jerome
Science Writer
Santa Clara, California

Paul Kurtz
Professor of Philosophy
SUNY at Buffalo

Signed by 183 others, including 18 Nobel Prizewinners