Superstition Superstition And Science - 1576 Words

A universally accepted part of our humanity that allows us to engage in a form of communication necessary to use our brains and imagination simultaneously. â€Å"Thales understood what happened and made use of the event to state the law of cause and effect perhaps, the most brilliant in insight of all time: for every physical effect, there is a physical cause. Causality abolishes superstition† (Park 31). Superstition and Science have created an interesting juxtaposition in life. Superstition is not based on reasoning, it is based on magic, culture, and support, in a time of uncertainty. CULTURE AND SUPERSTITION There are many different types of culture in today’s world. Superstition is a part of every culture regardless of what culture you†¦show more content†¦Do the fishermen really believe that? In most cases, no, but they are not willing to take the chance and defy the odds. In a similar case, Alex Fradera cited a â€Å"Famous chain letter that went through the journalistic community in the United States. Many knew that it was bunk, but they did not want to tempt fate by not copying the letter and sending it on† (3). Can we attribute the journalists forwarding the letter as not willing to defy the odds like the in the example of the fishermen? In Hong Kong, there is a wishing tree (a Banyan Tree). On the Chinese New Year oranges are pierced and threaded with string so that they can be thrown into the tree in hopes that you will have good luck. The higher in the tree you throw it the more likely you will have good luck. They also believe th at â€Å"The number 4 is unlucky therefore, buildings are not made with floors that end in 4 because it sounds like the word death in Cantonese† (Films Media Group, Superstitious Minds). Positive Superstition It is natural to believe in magic, after all we are taught this as children, think of Santa Clause or the Tooth Fairy. â€Å"A routine becomes superstitious when a particular action is given special, magical significance† (Vyse 177). The concept of positive superstition helps to reassure us. For those who believe in superstition, they believe it helps with the outcome of an event. As an example, a student chews gum to help calm theirShow MoreRelatedSuperstition Of Science, Religion, Harmful Superstition1312 Words   |  6 PagesSuperstition in the, â€Å"Joy Luck Club,† is a method used by the mothers to provide comfort and guidance to their daughters, or to scare the daughters into submission. In the book, many times do the mothers resort to using superstition to keep their daughters in line. For example, in page 164, Lena says,†Ã¢â‚¬  Aii, Lena,† she had said after that dinner so many years ago, â€Å"your future husband have one p ock mark for every rice you not finish.†Ã¢â‚¬  This of course scares Lena into finishing the rest of her riceRead MoreThe Theory Of Superstition And Science2050 Words   |  9 Pagesphysical cause. Perhaps this concept, â€Å"Causality abolishes superstition† (Park 31), is what leads us to entertain the thought that there may be a scientific reason for what happens. Superstition and Science have created an interesting juxtaposition in life. Superstition is not based on reasoning; it is based on magic, culture, and support, in a time of uncertainty. There are many types of culture in today’s world. Superstition is a part of every culture regardless of what culture you areRead MoreDracula and Science, Superstition, Religion, and Xenophobia1602 Words   |  7 Pagesissues are in relation to science, religion, and some are even a combination of the two. Film and other media outlets have commonly been used to address these types of issues ever since these outlets were started. In the film Dracula, directed by Tod Browning in 1931, many controversial issues of the 1920s and 1930s including science, superstition, religion, and xenophobia are addressed. An argument that has been extremely controversial and debated for centuries is science versus religion. DraculaRead MoreSuperstition Is The Belief Of Supernatural Items And Occurrences904 Words   |  4 PagesSuperstition – it is the belief in supernatural items and occurrences; one event causes another to happen without any real logical reason or linkage between the events. Examples being: astrology, religion, luck, voodoo, ancient roman activities and prophecies. The major artifact science fights are superstitions due to science being logical as well as able to show linage between two events – superstitious activities cannot. They are used in everyday life by everyday people, whether it’s subconsciousRead MoreThe Elizabethan Era in England Essay1588 Words   |  7 Pages(Elizabethan Superstitions). Elizabeth ruled in a time of religious turmoil; both the Catholics and Protestants fought to be the official religion of England. (Elizabethan World View). Many people throughout England struggled to find the â€Å"correct† religion (Elizabethan World View). Religion was changing and so did science. During the late 1500’s science began to evolve; new ideas, concepts, and beliefs were starting to emerge (A Changing View). Magic was considered to be very similar to science in thisRead MoreSuperstitions : Superstition And Superstition1689 Words   |  7 PagesThere is a various amount of superstitions out in the world that people hear about, but what exactly makes a superstition? Is there a definition known throughout for One source says that they are â€Å"a belief or an action that is inconsistent with science and needs to be aimed at bringing good luck or avoiding bad luck† (â€Å"Superstitions: Why You Believe†). Superstitions themselves can range from any small action that someone does to help their chances. Whether it is a lucky pair of socks or avoidingRead MoreSuperstitions And Ghosts In The Elizabethan Era 1120 Words   |  5 PagesSuperstitions and Ghosts in the Elizabethan Era During the Elizabethan Era, many strange superstitions became common around Europe. Some of these are still evident in society today. Why do people think that black cats mean bad luck? Why do people say â€Å"God bless you,† after somebody sneezes? And what does this have to do with ghosts? During the Shakespearean time period, superstitions were caused by the creation of ghost stories, provoked greatly by plays, and were blamed for misfortune. The wordRead MoreWitchcraft And Superstition In Medieval Europe1654 Words   |  7 PagesWitchcraft and superstition in Medieval Europe The concept of witchcraft and superstition stretches over a long period of time. The idea became familiar around 560 B.C when the two old testaments denounced witches and the belief in them. The idea is said to have originated in Europe, rapidly spreading around the world. Medieval Europe was an era that solely believed in magic, witches and the supernatural. In the Middle Ages witchcraft was viewed as a heinous crime that was punishable by deathRead MoreBram Stoker’S 1897 Novel Dracula Is Far From Being A Simple1535 Words   |  7 Pagesthis awkward and anxiety inducing contradictions not only in the Count but within Victorian era itself. In this time of enlightenment, superstition and science are constantly shown to be intertwined in a way that seems to bewilder the characters as much it does the audience. Stoker depicts the characters hunting Dracula relying on both modernity and superstition to successfully defeat Dracula, Stoker illustrates the failure of relying only on modern thinking. While initially refusing to believe inRead MoreSuperstition Informative Speech1490 Words   |  6 PagesInformative Speech Specific Goal: To inform my audience about the myths and mysteries surrounding Superstitions and how they have transitioned through time. Thesis Statement: In this essay I will uncover the history and origin of superstitions, common superstitions and what their meaning, and religion superstitions in todays society. Introduction A. Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday to You. Happy Birthday Happy Birthday Happy