Would The World Be Better Off If-

[David Sklansky]

no one believed in astrology?

Question 2.

What fraction of present believers would be better off (generally speaking) if they didn't believe in astrology?

[Perplexity]

No.

17%.

[Phil153]

1. Yes. Astrology is pure noise. While many would find some other nonsense to believe in, some fraction would stop, and possibly find more useful activities and/or ways of understanding human nature and the future. That's a good thing.

2. Tough question.

[nineinchal]

Hey Dave,

If I did'nt believe in astrology, I would not know what days are best for weighing in at weight watchers. Being just 2 tenths of a pound over can really make me feel guilty about all that beer I drink at the poker tables. I would also get less positive EV at the buffet.

Question 2: The fraction of present believers that would be better off if they didn't believe would be 100% since they would save thousands of dollars a year on the astrological and psychic hotlines that cost $2.99 a minute.

[pete fabrizio]

I'm pretty sure any economist can tell you that the answer to Question 1 is obviously no, especially since belief in/practice of astrology has pretty much 0 external effects (particularly given the mix of people who believe).

Question 2 is a bit harder, but it would still probably be pretty low. Most people who believe in astrology enjoy it, and I don't think anyone out there is tortured by it. Maybe the number would be higher if you replaced the belief in astrology with some other beliefs that bring them just as much welfare but also happen to be true.

[luckyme]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure any economist can tell you that the answer to Question 1 is obviously no, especially since belief in/practice of astrology has pretty much 0 external effects (particularly given the mix of people who believe).

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean like Presidents?

luckyme

[PLOlover]

[ QUOTE ]
You mean like Presidents?

luckyme

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah my first thought was that no one believed in it anyway, then I remembered Ron and Nancy lol.

[George Rice]

#3) What percentage of people who believe in astrology also believe in God?

Thinking of that question changed my answers to David's.

After answering that:

#4) Is it rational to believe in both God and astrology?

[luckyme]

[ QUOTE ]
#3) What percentage of people who believe in astrology also believe in God?

Thinking of that question changed my answers to David's.

After answering that:

#4) Is it rational to believe in both God and astrology?

[/ QUOTE ]

#3) In a society where 80+% are christians and 30+% believe some version of astrology. .. quite a few.

#4) Yes. It's irrational to believe in either but once you believe one then it's rational to believe the other. On what basis would you discount the other one... no evidence?

luckyme

[Piers]

No

19% Mainly hard believers (ie will aggressively make practical decisions based on pure Astrology), or just unlucky.