Rationality is a Luxury: Why Despair, Not Stupidity, Fuels Superstition

Argues that mocking superstition overlooks the deeper reasons people turn to it. While practices like reading horoscopes or praying for a medical outcome may lack evidence, it suggests that rationality itself is a privilege born of stability and good fortune, not simply an intellectual achievement. People who rely on science and logic often do so because their lives are relatively secure, whereas superstitious or credulous beliefs frequently arise from pain, crisis, or desperation rather than ignorance. The piece ultimately urges those who consider themselves rational to recognize the harsh circumstances that may drive others toward irrational comforts in the face of overwhelming suffering. You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms: https://linktr.ee/life_notes Produced by: https://www.podcaistudio.com/