Final answer:
Mort's thoughts about astrology being real without evidence are an example of a belief, which is a personal conviction not necessarily supported by scientific evidence. Unlike a hypothesis or a scientific theory, a belief doesn't require verification through experimentation or observation. Beliefs can often overlap with superstitions, which similarly lack empirical support.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mort's conviction that astrology is real, despite the lack of empirical evidence, is an example of a belief. Unlike postulates, suppositions, or ideas, a belief doesn't necessarily rely on proof or logical foundations. Belief is a psychological state in which an individual holds a premise to be true, regardless of a lack of verifiable evidence. In science, a hypothesis is a suggested explanation for an observable phenomenon, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation. A superstition is similar to belief in that it's a conviction not supported by evidence.
For example, the statement that astrology is real is a belief similar to a superstition because there's no credible evidence to support its efficacy. It's important to note that a scientific theory is much more than a random guess; it's based on a substantial amount of evidence. Incorrect judgments in science and human relations often occur due to a lack of data, as was the case when scientists once believed that all giant planets must be far from their stars.