Logic or Superstitions? - Ahmad Abu Asbeh 9C

 

Logic or Superstitions?

 

    Superstitions make up most of generational belief systems which get carried on from one generation to the next. As stated by Natalie Wolchover on www.livescience.com on the origins of famous superstitions: “Ancient Romans believed mirrors held fragments of our souls, and that shattering them therefore created a crack in our souls too.” Which is why this argumentative essay is being conducted to discuss the world’s recent decrease in superstition beliefs.

    The world has become less superstitious. As mentioned by Russel Bertrand in his argumentative essay: “Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom”. Which clearly states that the nature of superstitions is based mainly off of fear and not logical thinking, and in the new day and age of straight-forward and logical answers being 5 seconds away from the inquirer, the need of superstitions to answer questions is no longer found. Moreover, countless research expeditions, grants, and research parties are sent out every day to retrieve answers, which eliminates the so called “fear of the unknown” which superstitions are built on, however these new ways of fetching answers come up with conclusive and logical answers. Which brings this essay to its next claim.

    Superstitions disagree with logic and fail to provide conclusive answers. According to Victoria Willias on belief systems around the world: “According to Turkish belief, blue acts as a shield against evil and even absorbs negativity”. This superstition is extremely popular, yet it does not provide any logical reason as to why blue shields you from “evil”, and if asked, believers of this superstition would commonly answer with: “I don’t know” or “It just does”. Which does not provide any conclusive evidence as to why blue does anything to shield or protect you, when in reality this belief is the pure result of ignorance related to a specific belief system, which is basically what superstitions are in the first place. There would not be an opinion essay without the counter-argument, which brings this essay to its next paragraph.

    The counter argument states that superstitions have provided answers in the past. According to Natalie Wolchover on www.livescience.com: “In England in the 1600’s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder on their way to the gallows”. Which symbolizes bad luck, it is understandable how this superstition could be used 500 years ago, however, definitely not anywhere close to the 21st century, as ladders do nothing, and humans know better. This brings this essay to its concluding paragraph.

    This essay concludes with the claims that the world has become less superstitious, and that superstitions fail to provide logical answers, which go hand in hand, as to why this essay was conducted in the first place, to show the decline in superstition beliefs.

 









“Turtles, Eggs, and Rocks: Vietnamese Superstitions in Practice.” The Amherst Student, 5 Apr. 2023, https://amherststudent.com/article/turtles-eggs-and-rocks-vietnamese-superstitions-in-practice/.


Bibliography:

Williams, Victoria (2016). Celebrating Life Customs Around the World: From Baby Showers to Funerlan,

Russell, Bertrand. Unpopular Essays, by Bertrand Russell. Allen & Unwin.

Wolchover, Natalie. “The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Superstitions.” LiveScience, Purch, 19 Sept. 2011, www.livescience.com/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html.

 “Turtles, Eggs, and Rocks: Vietnamese Superstitions in Practice.” The Amherst Student, 5 Apr. 2023, https://amherststudent.com/article/turtles-eggs-and-rocks-vietnamese-superstitions-in-practice/.

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