Ae superstitions good for us or bad?
Given my experience, I would say good, though it was a bit of a bother at times. But if I refuse to pay someone money because it is not a good day for me, that would be a problem.
I feel if it does not disturb too much, me or others, then superstitions are therapeutic.
But what about science? Is it scientific or superstitious?
Some aspects of science are definitely superstitious. If, for example, you are a string theorist, and hold that there are more than twenty dimensions to this universe, all of which are hidden, except the three we know, then you are superstitious, however mathematically you formulate your beliefs. Even the fields- electric, magnetic etc., are beliefs really, because what are they? they don't really exist as fields.
I think I can go on and on, displaying the full glory of my ignorance.
But what brings me to this is an article I read in New Scientist, "Superstitions evolved to help us survive', by
Ewen Callaway (http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/dn14694-superstitions-evolved-to-help-us-survive.html).
It says that when you are in a dangerous environment, the cost of ignoring a threat would be higher than mistaking a threat. Suppose, in a forest you ignore the rustle of grass, you are likely to become lion-food. It is far better to believe that the rustle of grass portends some impending evil.
I guess that is what helps me survive the concrete jungles of Chennai.
Superstition is supposed to be irrational. But when you hear the rustle of grass you sense a movement, and there is a reason to believe that something evil could attack you.
ReplyDeleteBut then when you pray for safety while taking your scooty out in Chennai, though you are aware of road discipline of motorists and auto drivers, the belief that your prayer can save you from an accident is a superstition.
On the other hand your subconscious becomes aware of impending dangers when you pray and your belief that your prayer saves you makes sure your subconscious gets into act. So it's subconscious that is aware of so many ways of getting out of a trouble that might spring into action when you encounter a tight situation. Through the method of prayer you are sending messages to your subconscious. Prayer is a superstitious method to communicate to your subconscious that comes out to help you survive in this world. So yes in a way superstition helps us survive.
What about God?
ReplyDeleteThere is no one listening to our prayers?
To say that there is no God when you haven't yet seen Him is to hold a superstitious belief.
Where have you seen your subconscious? I haven't yet seen MY subconscious.
Ha Ha
No I am not saying there is no god. In fact I believer it is god who gave me the sub conscious to help m. Got it.
ReplyDeleteGot it.
ReplyDeleteSuperstition is something which is either handed down to us from a position of authority or the ability to form one's own superstition is cultivated in us by the hand immediately above our head in this world.
ReplyDeleteThe ability to put 2 and 2 together and come up with 5 is very much within us, cultivated in us, for it has long been believed that such an ability serves a protective function if not anything else.
Most superstitions originate from copied habits without comprehension till such a time in its generational fan-following that no one really knows why and is afraid to either ask or get rid of it. Also, we ourselves mistake our habits and inclinations or obsessions to be superstitions and propagate them as such.
Somewhere in the early recesses of man's development, superstition substituted for comprehension and understanding, to deliver the express prime utility of immediate safety. Then man took over after the immediacy....he got lazy...and instead of analysing or comprehending at leisure afterwards, he just let it be...an action-reaction for a specific state. To shake off superstitions aren't easy if you have believed even once...for there is always that fear that you are disposing off something "protective"...something which was gradulally ingrained into your instincts over generations or the multi-generation strong belief in your own created one.
I agree with every word.
ReplyDeleteThey say that according to string theory, there are eleven dimensions. I don't have the capacity to verify this claim. If accept such statements of the basis of scientific authority, am I superstitious or not? I think it is superstition.
How can I believe in eleven dimensions without being able to explain on being questioned?