Horoscopes are not considered scientific for several reasons:
Lack of Empirical Evidence: Horoscopes make predictions and claims about an individual's personality traits and future events based on the position of celestial bodies at the time of their birth. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the validity of astrology or the accuracy of horoscopes. Studies examining the relationship between horoscopes and personality traits or future events have consistently failed to demonstrate any significant correlation.
Subjective and Vague Statements: Horoscopes often use ambiguous and general statements that can be interpreted in various ways. They tend to provide broad descriptions that could apply to a large number of people, which is known as the Barnum effect or the Forer effect. This makes it easier for individuals to find personal relevance in the horoscope's content, even when it is not specific to them.
Lack of Consistency and Testability: Horoscopes often vary among different astrologers and sources, leading to inconsistent predictions and interpretations. Additionally, horoscopes are not formulated in a way that allows for systematic testing and falsification. In science, the ability to test and potentially falsify a hypothesis or claim is a crucial aspect of the scientific method.
Absence of a Mechanism: Astrology lacks a plausible mechanism that can explain how the positions and movements of celestial bodies could influence human behavior or future events. There is no known physical or biological process that can account for the supposed effects attributed to astrology.
Incompatibility with Established Scientific Principles: Astrology contradicts well-established principles and theories in physics, astronomy, and biology. For example, astrology suggests that the positions of celestial bodies at the time of birth can have a direct and specific influence on an individual's personality or destiny, which is inconsistent with our current understanding of how the universe works.
It's important to note that while astrology and horoscopes are not considered scientific, they can still be of cultural or personal significance to some individuals. People may find value in astrology for reasons unrelated to its scientific validity, such as entertainment, self-reflection, or personal belief systems.