CHANGES TO MAKE ON PAPER
(1) Is Thagard’s main argument that astrology is a pseudoscience because the predictions are ancient? The predictions seem to have not changed and are
not being worked on (not progressing). One could imagine that there are plenty of theories in core sciences that have not changed for a long time (for
example, the atomic numbers of atoms (although these are not as old as early astrological predictions)).
(2) Paragraph two you state that it is the lack of significant development that is the problem but that seems to be in line with Thagard’s main argument and
not an objection.
(3) Your argument in paragraph three is interesting in that astrologers cannot make accurate predictions since the foundation of the practice lacks
information. Does this differentiate sciences from pseudosciences? Was medicine not a science when they used the four humors theory of sickness and did
not know about bacteria?
(4) You state that astrology is scientifically inaccurate but do not explain what makes something ‘scientifically accurate’.
(5) Your final argument seems similar to the earlier one in that there are new planets being discovered that would change astrological calculations. If
astrologers began to improve their predictions due to the new planets, would that not then meet Thagard’s criteria of a science. Thus, new planets would
potentially help make astrology into a true science. Here, you might push back against Thagard that discovering new planets shouldn’t turn astrology into a
science.
(6) Finally, do not forget to mention whether your objections are internal or external.
ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS: Please write a 1-2 page paper which includes at least one objection to the authors main argument. Remember, you cannot just
disagree with the authors conclusion, you need to create an argument of your own objecting to the authors argument. Please note whether your objection is
an external or internal objection somewhere in your paper. Also remember, that this will be stitched to your previous writing assignment when creating your
final paper, so write accordingly.