On Superstitions by A.G. Gardiner Quiz

The idea that humans are easily deceived and susceptible to unfounded beliefs.

A writing style employing humor and irony to highlight flaws or absurdity.

A collection of essays by A.G. Gardiner, featuring 'On Superstitions'.

To show the irrationality of superstitious beliefs, using a murder as an example.

A critical stance towards unfounded beliefs, often based on fear or ignorance.

A statistical principle suggesting that random events tend to balance out over time, challenging the idea of lucky or unlucky numbers.

The patient was in a very weak and fragile state.

The pimple's appearance triggered a negative mindset, hindering the patient's recovery.

The author acknowledges their vulnerability to superstitious beliefs, despite attempting to be rational.

The author regularly uses bus number 13 without incident, highlighting the irrationality of fearing it.

Out of fear of bad luck, the author chooses to walk around a ladder, demonstrating the power of superstition.

To protect their family from potential harm associated with walking under ladders.

Disapproval towards the continuation of superstitious beliefs in modern society.

Superstition was not seen as a flaw in the past due to limited scientific understanding and the perceived influence of unknown forces.

This action symbolizes the persistence of unconscious habits driven by superstition, even among those who claim to be rational.

People in the past saw natural events as signs related to their own lives, influencing their actions and beliefs.

These examples showcase how superstition was used to manipulate others through fear and belief in omens.

This statement reveals a conflict between conscious and unconscious beliefs, often influenced by long-held superstitions.

The ancient world, unlike the modern era, embraced superstition as a part of life and humorously accepted its absurdity.

The author highlights the significant influence of fortune tellers in ancient societies, where they were highly respected and consulted for guidance.

This statement suggests the farmer, like most individuals in the past, was deeply entrenched in superstitious beliefs about the natural world.

The natural world was seen as a source of knowledge and guidance, where each event had a deeper meaning that influenced actions and decisions.

The author believes modern societies are superior due to their more rational approach and understanding of the world, leaving behind superstitious beliefs.

The author uses the example of the House of Commons and a clap of thunder to illustrate the changing attitudes towards superstition between ancient and modern times.

The fear of number 13 has a significant impact on people's minds, affecting their choices and even their physical well-being.

This highlights the enduring influence of the superstition surrounding number 13, as landlords avoid assigning it to houses out of fear of bad luck.

Florence Nightingale advocated for flowers in hospital rooms to positively impact the patient's mindset, emphasizing the connection between mental well-being and recovery.

This quote emphasizes that physical healing depends on the mind's state as much as the body's condition, highlighting the impact of mental factors on recovery.

The passage uses a humorous, slightly mocking tone while discussing the continuing belief in the unluckiness of number 13, despite its apparent absurdity.

Patients in a hospital room numbered 13 may experience a slight setback in their recovery due to the unconscious influence of the superstition.