The Unbearable Fear of Psi: On Scientific Suppression in the 21st Century (original) (raw)
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Editorial: Bigelow, BIAL, and the Funding of Parapsychological Research
Journal of Anomalistics / Zeitschrift für Anomalistik, 2021
Passion and commitment should be found in all "real" scientists, i. e. in those representatives who do not see scientific activity as just one of many professional and career options to choose between. For "real" scientists, the interest in knowledge and insight comes first and is not subordinated to the pursuit of career, fame, and other realities of the "science game. " 1 Such "careerists" will hardly be found in parapsychology or other fields of anomalistics, because whoever does research in these areas must have a high degree of idealism and resilience. Experience has shown that researching anomalistics topics does not make a career in the scientific mainstream. In the history of parapsychology there are many examples of endangered and even destroyed careers of scientists whose inquisitiveness was directed to such "unseemly" topics (Pilkington, 2013; Pilkington & Krippner, 1987). Accordingly, the well-known narrative becomes understandable, according to which, for example, a professor shortly before his retirement begins to openly admit his interests, which had been kept hidden until then, and to conduct parapsychological research more or less at his own expense. All this is well known and so is the related problem of funding parapsychological research and research on anomalistics, which in many of its core issues can be classified as basic research. In most cases, the link to practical applicability is missing. Even in recognized scientific fields, greater efforts are required to obtain research funding for basic research. It becomes much more difficult when the accusation of pseudoscience is added and attempts are made to delegitimize or completely prevent any funding because this research is seen as a waste of human and economic resources. Consider, for example, the anti-scientific concept of "scientability" introduced by German science journalist and skeptic Christian Weymayr (2013) for the purpose of regulating the content of research funding according to ideological criteria; 2 or the remarkable commentary written by skeptics Arthur Reber and James Alcock (2020) in response to Etzel Cardeña's 1 On the changes in the science scene and how scientists see themselves, see, for example, Henry Bauer's (2017) Science is not what you think: How it has changed, why we can't trust it, how it can be fixed. My review of this book appeared in the JSE issue 32(2) (Mayer, 2018).
Many studies have provided strong support for the existence of paranormal and psychic phenomena (" Psi "). For multiple reasons, however, Psi does not readily lend itself to scientific investigation. In contrast with the consensus-based scientific method that is grounded in repeatable observations and experiments, Psi and consciousness studies typically involve personal experiences (e.g., intuitive hunches, precognition, clairvoyance, and absent healing) that are true and meaningful only for the individual test subject. Furthermore, much scientific research is based on objective observations having their origins in, and ultimately limited by, the five senses as extended by instrumentation. Such observations and instrumentation may be inadequate to capture and characterize Psi phenomena. As if to compound these challenges, the notion of the detached observer, a key underpinning of the scientific method, can no longer be assumed at the level of subtle energies believed to be associated with Psi phenomena. For all of these reasons and others, the replication of results demanded by the scientific method is often challenging to obtain. A new framework for scientific investigation of Psi is needed, and the journey to this framework has not been without its own challenges. As a much-needed stopgap, this paper provides guidelines for conducting Psi studies. The guidelines may prove useful both to researchers and to editors of journals on Psi, subtle energy, mind, and consciousness. The guidelines serve two main purposes: a) to identify cross-disciplinary methods for researchers to use, and b) to demonstrate results that might be considered scientifically sound in other fields of research but that might be met with overt skepticism in Psi research. As these guidelines are intended only as a starting point, reader comments are invited and encouraged. Please send comments to editor@rosicrucian.org. Résumé De nombreuses études ont fourni un appui solide en vue de l'existence de phénomènes paranormaux et psychiques (les « Phénomènes Psi »). Pour de multiples raisons, cependant, les «Psi » ne se prêtent pas facilement à la recherche scientifique. Contrairement à la méthode scientifique, fondée sur le consensus et qui se base sur des observations et des expériences réplicables, les études portant sur les Phénomènes Psi et la conscience consistent généralement en des expériences personnelles (p. ex., des intuitions, des pressentiments, la clairvoyance et la
Neuroquantology, 2011
This paper proposes to evaluate the relationship of scientific criteria to parapsychology. It is herein argued that the most effective ways for the discipline of parapsychology to progress, are: a) to face psi, firstly, as a conceptual problem; b) to combine several approaches containing psi in their essence; and c) to try to build a psi "hard core" through a theoretical approach to resolving and clarifying the problems raised. To understand psi it will be necessary to explore not only empirical problems, but especially such conceptual problems as mind, consciousness, and altered states. Only then can science in general and parapsychology in particular, progress. Furthermore, parapsychology needs to develop its own heuristics-that is, new scientific methodologies that will include the roles of the researcher and of consciousness itself. Based on the work of the philosophers of science Larry Laudan and Imre Lakatos, the current analysis proposes a "hard core" for psi studies. Based on Laudan's work especially, it is argued that the conceptual problems are more important than the empirical ones. A psi hard core may be studied in two complementary ways: using Lakatos' empirical and Laudan's theoretical approaches. The theoretical approach offers a greater chance to see and clarify psi as a problem and lead to an understanding of the metaphysics and ontologies behind it. For parapsychology to progress, it is necessary to establish a psi hard core of constructs, beliefs, and assumptions, less testable and more operational, where the problem of ascertaining effectiveness is what matters.
The academic discipline of parapsychology has faced major challenges throughout its history. An online survey of members of the Parapsychological Association (PA) was undertaken with the aim of identifying the range of significant problems held to confront parapsychology today. This paper presents a collation of the views of PA members. A sample of 114 people participated in the survey, 95 of whom revealed their perception of parapsychology’s principal problems. Many such problems would appear to stem from being forced to work within a hostile academic zeitgeist. The lack of funding for research and teaching, lack of an adequate career path, and lack of ready access to mainstream journals were cited as hindering academics wanting to pursue parapsychological research. Associated issues such as the lack of a conclusive database (despite technological advances), the lack of a widely endorsed theory, and the failure to resolve the experimenter-psi effect also are deemed problematic. Some parapsychologists look to a solution in quantum physics, multidisciplinary research, or practical applications of psi research.
This is a theoretical paper; about 'psi', as interdisplaniry topic among; psychology, biology, and physics. The paper represents an operational executive definition to psi experience and behavior. The aim of this paper is to suggest a hypothesis about psi as 'a potential, latent, adaptive ability to sense and affect through distance'. The technique, the methodology of this paper depends on theoretical sampling based on dozens of reliable studies that have proven through years. I tried by this manipulation to introduce more definite, operational concept that may help in further interpretation, measurement, control and predict, then application on human society, by suggesting 'oneness' concept. Keywords: psi experience, psi challenges and background, psi existence and interpretations, psi as adaptive ability, the oneness suggested concept
A Phenomenological Evolution of Parapsychology’s Philosophy of Science
Paranthropology: Journal of Anthropological Approaches to the Paranormal, 2014
Parapsychology claims to be a scientific discipline. How has it adjudicated this claim? This article traces parapsychology’s understanding of its scientific practice beginning with William James, continuing through J. B. Rhine, and up until the present day. What this reveals is that Rhinean experimentalism has been insufficient to legitimize parapsychology as a widely established science. What’s more astonishing is that experimentalism’s philosophical assumptions may actually be incoherent with the nature of psi phenomena. Returning to an approach similar to that as articulated by William James, parapsychology can realign itself with a human method of science as found in phenomenology. Flowing from this analysis, future directions are offered for parapsychology as it relates to using its philosophy of science as a commentary on legendary science and further exploring the tricky nature of psi.
Parapsychology's Science Hacks
2019
Assuming that a certain scientific psychological paradigm had been established – parapsychology is clearly the anomaly to that. In fact, it represents an exception to any western scientific paradigm. That is also the way the field defines itself: “[…] parapsychology here is defined as the study of experiences having the appearance of being in principle outside the realm of human capabilities as conceived by conventional scientists” (Irwin, 1989, p.3). This negativist view (i.e. every phenomena else than the ones that are explainable by ordinary science) lies at the heart the fields’ identity problem; which kind of questions are to be studied by parapsychologists? Qualitative research constitutes a major part of the field (e.g. Saltmarsh, 1934; Sidgewick, Johnson, Myers, Podmore & Sidgewick, 1894). These are, amongst others, (collections of) case-studies of people reporting situations which seem to be impossible by normal conception (e.g. the occurrence of a poltergeist). Another part of the field is concerned with the investigation of the authenticity of a paranormal occurrence. For example, the study of stage magic can inform the field of the way fraudulent mechanisms may operate. That hints at the importance to distinguish between a parapsychological experience and a paranormal process. The former relates to the individual phenomenology, whereas the latter refers to the underlying (possibly meta-) physical explanation of the appearance (Irwin, 1989, p. 2). The field is split on a continuum with believers in and sceptics of psi on both ends. Psi is thought to be the unknown factor which enables paranormal phenomena to arise. A last important field of research in parapsychology is the process-oriented study. It is here that the scientific method is applied and experiments are designed in order to identify the causal mechanisms of how paranormal phenomena come about. Three major domains evolved over the past decades in parapsychological research: The study of extrasensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis (PK) and the survival hypothesis. The survival hypothesis states that some element of the human existence may survive biological death (Irwin, 1989, p. 8) and had an especially big impact in the beginning of parapsychological research. Nowadays, research in this area focuses for example on out-of-body experiences. However, this essay shall be concerned with the other two domains (i.e. ESP and PK) and their experimental investigation. ESP refers to the perception of information by means other than the five ordinary senses whereas “[…] any direct mental influence upon the structure of a physical system, whether observable or not PARAPSYCHOLOGY’S SCIENCE HACKS 3 observable movement occurs” (Irwin, 1989, p.120) is regarded as PK. The current essay is concerned with the process-oriented scientific study of parapsychology (mainly PK and ESP) and attempts to identify I. Hacking’s engines of discovery (2007). Hacking originally intended to elaborate on the question of how making up people happens in the field of psychology when he discovered the engines of discovery. The quintet of (a) classification (i.e. psi-phenomena), (b) class-members (i.e. psychics), (c) institutions (e.g. Parapsychological Association, etc.), (d) knowledge (e.g. published in the Journal of Parapsychology), and (e) expert knowers (i.e. parapsychologists) fuel the engines. The quest of this paper is to further elucidate the question of how making up psi may happen in the field of experimental parapsychology. A rather thin and reverential historical approach is taken.
Parapsychology’s Secret, Best Kept a Secret? Responding to the Millar Challenge
Journal of Nonlocality, 2013
A short overview is made of the attempts to relate the experimenter effect to the conventional theory of social interactive influence. There is however much neglected evidence to suggest it is more than this. The author's own involvement in psi-conducive and psi-mediated experimenter effects is presented. Some of the most striking results in this respect came with the Ganzfeld series of experiments. Examples of psychic experiences in the lives of successful experimenters are given.
The Scientific Method and Psi Research
2016
Many studies have provided strong support for the existence of paranormal and psychic phenomena (“Psi”). For multiple reasons, however, Psi does not readily lend itself to scientific investigation. In contrast with the consensus-based scientific method that is grounded in repeatable observations and experiments, Psi and consciousness studies typically involve personal experiences (e.g., intuitive hunches, precognition, clairvoyance, and absent healing) that are true and meaningful only for the individual test subject. Furthermore, much scientific research is based on objective observations having their origins in, and ultimately limited by, the five senses as extended by instrumentation. Such observations and instrumentation may be inadequate to capture and characterize Psi phenomena. As if to compound these challenges, the notion of the detached observer, a key underpinning of the scientific method, can no longer be assumed at the level of subtle energies believed to be associated ...
Will Parapsychology (Study of PSI) Ever Be Accepted by Mainstream Science
Paranormal happenings across globe are baffling the mankind for times immemorial. Paranormal events, termed as "psi" are being studied under Parapsychology. Parapsychology is still not accepted as science and Parapsychological researchers are researching to get it its rightful place in mainstream science. This article tries to give details of the reasons which are preventing this field from being recognized by scientific fraternity as a mainstream science subject. The impediments are gigantic but since the frequency of paranormal happenings are so large in numbers and are happening across the world, we just cannot brush these aside as non-sensical. There has to be scientific reasons, which, we are not in a position to figure out currently. May be that the physical sciences have not advanced to a state whereby these events can be explained using the known scientific means. As we all know, brain is still not fully explored, majority portion of our brain is still not known to our medical sciences and medical research is going on to understand the mysteries lying in these unexplored reasons of brain. We are, also, not having full understanding of "Consciousness",i.e what causes it and how consciousness makes us aware of world around us. Research in this field will also help in answering many paranormal secrets, including the reasons for possibility of life after death. There is a need for collaborative research in which parapsychologists, neuroscientists and medical researchers join together and take the research forward to help the mankind.