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"Well Educated" Europe: One in four Swedes think Astrology is a science
www.thelocal.se ^ | 11/10/2006 | Paul O'Mahony

Posted on 11/11/2006 3:18:09 PM PST by WesternCulture

One in four Swedes think Astrology is a science

According to a new opinion poll, 23 per cent of Swedes consider astrology a science, while 14 per cent regard intelligent design as a scientific theory.

Working with pollster Synovate Temo, Vetenskap & Allmänhet (VA), an association that works with establishing trust between researchers and the general public, interviewed more than 1,000 Swedes to find out their views on science and research.

The organisation has carried out similar polls every year since 2002.

A full 36 per cent of young women and 16 per cent of young men between the ages of 16 and 19 answered in the affirmative when asked if they believed astrology to be a science.

Of all those surveyed 23 per cent classified astrology as a science, which is six percentage points higher than last year.

"The results show that people have an insufficient grasp of what science is. That is why we need more contact and meetings between researchers and the general public," said Camilla Modéer, head of VA.

The level of confidence in researchers at universities and colleges has slowly decreased over the years, but they still enjoy a high level of trust from 70 per cent of Swedes.

On the whole, Swedes have a positive opinion of science. Almost 9 out of 10 believe that scientific developments have improved the lives of ordinary people.

An equally high proportion of those surveyed felt that more care should be taken to corroborate the results of scientific studies before they are presented to the general public.

Two thirds of Swedes would like to see fewer alarming reports in the media.

Paul O'Mahony


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: education; europe; newage; sweden
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My personal (scientific) opinion:

Astrology is not a science.

Traditional Religion as well as traditional Science both share one feature which they do not have in common with Astrology, namely the trait of seeking a profound and clarified Truth, An answer to the mysteries and marbles of Life and the Universe - While Astrology, on the other hand, is all about fraud, cheat and fast money.

Europeans sometimes claim that US americans suffer from an enormous "educational deficit" visavi themselves. This is especially the case in the area of advanced scientific, technological and industrial performance, While many Americans tend to believe the "accusations" of the Europeans is solely about Europeans being snobby about their cultural history, intellectual "awareness", PC agenda and sophistification of manners. In reality, Europeans believe Americans are letting the traditional Western idea of education being each and every citizen's right down. The vast majority of Europeans are utterly convinced that education, science and technology are vital to the advancement of Western Civilization while, at the same time, they distrust this is the case among Americans.

However, Europeans are trifle naive and self-satisfied in this respect.

I am European, even Swedish, and although I indeed am proud over things like the institution of the Nobel Prize as well as the economical/technological/scientific performance of Sweden, I think we Europeans ought to refrain from throwing mud at our friends and allies overseas and instead start paying attention to some educational failures on our own soil, as the article above indicates.

1 posted on 11/11/2006 3:18:11 PM PST by WesternCulture
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To: WesternCulture

Must be all of those blondes. /ducks and runs for cover


2 posted on 11/11/2006 3:21:08 PM PST by peyton randolph (No man knows the day nor the hour of The Coming of The Great White Handkerchief.)
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To: WesternCulture
I just consulted the magic 8-ball about these pressing questions.
It said to ask again later.
Go figure?
3 posted on 11/11/2006 3:22:42 PM PST by michigander (The Constitution only guarantees the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.)
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To: WesternCulture

"However, Europeans are trifle naive and self-satisfied in this respect."

Especially considering all the advances in science, culture, business, and the arts that the USA made in the last century, compared to Europe. Or anywhere else, for that matter.


4 posted on 11/11/2006 3:27:59 PM PST by outdriving (Diversity is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.)
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To: WesternCulture
Astrology is not a science.

No kidding, it is nowhere nearly as accurate as phrenology! I say that we stop looking to the stars to tell the future when we can check the bumps on our own heads.

5 posted on 11/11/2006 3:28:55 PM PST by burzum (Despair not! I shall inspire you by charging blindly on!--Minsc, BG2)
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To: WesternCulture

"..answered in the affirmative when asked if they believed astrology to be a science."

To those who believe their horoscope astrology is a science.


6 posted on 11/11/2006 3:29:12 PM PST by 353FMG (I never met a liberal I didn't dislike.)
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To: peyton randolph

Fewer blonds than you think - with Malmo now essentially taken over by the muzzies, I bet every city in Sweden has at least one mosque.


7 posted on 11/11/2006 3:31:34 PM PST by Ken522
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To: WesternCulture

So what's the same stat for Americans? 40%? Given the current state of our publik scrools I don't think we should be tempted to look down on Swedes.


8 posted on 11/11/2006 3:31:55 PM PST by BrerRabbit
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To: WesternCulture

Yes, but I am sure than equally alarming number of Americans are dumb enough to believe in astrology.


9 posted on 11/11/2006 3:32:39 PM PST by slaymakerpowertape
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To: peyton randolph

In fact, I bet there are more blonds in the great state of Texas than there are in Sweden now ...


10 posted on 11/11/2006 3:33:26 PM PST by Ken522
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To: WesternCulture

As a black American male scientist living in Europe, I tend to value philosophy and "quality of life" of the masses more than the "perceived intellectual highs" that the human world offers. It seems Tiger Woods seems to love Europe in general and the Swiss specifically.


11 posted on 11/11/2006 3:34:03 PM PST by kipita (Conservatives: Freedom and Responsibility???Liberals: Freedom from Responsibility)
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To: WesternCulture
The Europeans are stereotyped as all being educated and sophisticated people who go to the art galleries and the opera while Americans only care about what's on TV tonight.

One thing is for sure, though. Considering the piss-poor educational system that America has, we have no room to waggle our fingers at anybody else on that subject, except for the islamic countries.

12 posted on 11/11/2006 3:34:49 PM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity ("A litany of complaints is not a plan." - GW Bush, referring to DNC's lack of a platform on ANYTHING)
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To: WesternCulture
A science? No.

An ancient tradition? Yeah.

That is how I learned to tolorate it. That is not to say I approve of it for Christian reasons. I would tend to say that the silliest and most gullible of our human population fall for it lock, stock and barrel based on personal observation.

I believe that Eurabia is not much different from America in they have their nitwits too. There can be no doubt that we have plenty as anyone that has ever listened to that man on the street segment Hannity does on the radio. Some people we have over here I wouldn't trust to put match to a pilot light on the water heater - which is a damn disgrace in a country like the United States.

13 posted on 11/11/2006 3:37:01 PM PST by Condor 63
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To: burzum
No kidding, it is nowhere nearly as accurate as phrenology!

I respect phrenology but it's no where near as accurate as reading chicken entrails.

14 posted on 11/11/2006 3:37:51 PM PST by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: WesternCulture

A significant fraction of a population is stupid, ignorant, or both. Stop the presses.


15 posted on 11/11/2006 3:41:19 PM PST by John Jorsett (scam never sleeps)
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To: WesternCulture

Astrology is NOT a science.

Astronomy is a science.


16 posted on 11/11/2006 3:43:27 PM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God) .)
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To: BrerRabbit
So what's the same stat for Americans? 40%? Given the current state of our publik scrools I don't think we should be tempted to look down on Swedes.

Point well taken, particularly when listening to Hannity's 'Man in the Street' quiz segments. They state of education that the average person posesses is appalling.

If you've never heard it- listen to Hannity's show on Thursdays. People have no idea who the Vice President is, or what the three branches of government are, or who any of the Justices are- but they can always answer all of the pop-culture 'control questions' easily enough.

When asked- the majority of the people quizzed do vote, and uniformly for Democrats. They just seem to have no idea why they're doing it.

17 posted on 11/11/2006 3:44:55 PM PST by Riley (The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column.)
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To: WesternCulture

One in four Americans believe the Democrats have a plan.


18 posted on 11/11/2006 3:46:11 PM PST by RightWhale (RTRA DLQS GSCW)
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To: michigander

"I just consulted the magic 8-ball about these pressing questions.
It said to ask again later.
Go figure?"

My 8-ball told me to call my CDW rep... Oh wait never mind.


19 posted on 11/11/2006 3:46:50 PM PST by KirbDog
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To: WesternCulture

Well duh…… I mean isn’t astrology and astronomy the same thing (/sarcasm)


20 posted on 11/11/2006 3:47:04 PM PST by koskenkorva
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