In Defense Of Superstitions Summary

The author of “In Defense of Superstitions,” believes that should not be absolutely debased because it fulfills a cultural function and is related between science and religion. Since science looks for rational, factual explanations and religion seeks answers through the higher power, superstition is in between those two categories. Both show a common human concern with the supernatural and the desire to understand and influence it. The author believes that not all superstitions are silly. The author explains that some superstitions have been in part of folk traditions and had practical value to those who believe in it. For example, in folklore traditions, garlic was thought to ward off evil spirits and demons. Science has proven that garlic …show more content…
Some superstitions are from folk tradition that are passed down from generation to generation. For example, in Chinese medicine, there is a method of curing many illnesses which ranges from emotional disorders to physical pain. Though not scientifically proven to cure these negative aspects from your body, people who practice acupuncture says that it indeed helped their mind and body grow stronger. Many people do not support superstitions because of how science disproves it, but science do support these superstitions in some ways. Back to the acupuncture example, science does support this use of acupuncture, not because of the practice itself, but the mental effects it has on the patients. The brain is a powerful tool that can be manipulated for the better or the worse. If you believe in a superstition for your whole life, such as the use of acupuncture, your brain will be accustomed to the practice. Without the use of the practice that your brain was accustomed to, you will start to have mental effects on your brain will make you think you are sick. This is called the placebo effect where an ineffective practice such as acupuncture have beneficial effects on your body and mind. Because of the author of this article is correct in the way that superstitions have a mental effect on the brain therefore superstitions should not be …show more content…
For example, black cats have the tendency to scare people off. They often seek for warmth from others and have an odd fascination to examine the human face. So, when a person dies mysteriously, one will likely find a black cat perched on top of the body staring into their face. A logical assumption is that cats were the forewarning of death that could suck the living human out of them. Also, the color black is usually an indication that it is associated with evil. The fear that the black cats bring upon people that believe superstition can be known as “psycho-somatic.” The mind is very powerful which can affect a person through the tricks that mind plays on the body. Overall, superstitions play a huge role in a person’s life and can be logically explained through scientific evidence and logic. While some superstitions come from traditions that has been passed on from generation to generation. Even though some superstitions are a hoax, others can be explained scientifically and it is a cultural, historical functions in some