Abstract This paper looks at the subject of parapsychology and discusses the study of ESP, PK, and after-death (including out-of-body experiences) phenomena. The paper describes some of the theories used to explain PSI phenomena, with particular reference to the theory that radiation (usually described as electromagnetic radiation), is connected to psychic experiences such as telekinesis and telepathy. By concentrating on the most recent debates within the parapsychology community, the paper attempts to provide an up-to-date account of the physical experience of paranormal phenomena.
From the Paper "Scientists have long attempted to uncover physical reasons behind PSI phenomena. Parapsychology, which studies these phenomena, categorizes PSI as Extra-sensory perception (or ESP) which includes telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition; Psychokinesis, (also known as PK), which involves mental interaction with objects or living organisms - an example would be mediums using objects touched by the dead person; and life-after-death phenomena, which includes near-death, apparitions, and past lives/reincarnation experiences. "Parapsychology is not the study of anything considered weird or bizarre. Nor is parapsychology concerned with astrology, UFOs, searching for Bigfoot, paganism, vampires, alchemy, or witchcraft" (Faeden, 2004, although the author does admit that others use the term parapsychology to include all of these subjects). Experiments are clearly limited to the study of those things which are not 'weird or bizarre', although a number of parapsychology sites do cater for UFOs, and other phenomena (the Mothman experiences in America, for example, have provided pararesearchers with a number of theories), although there do not appear to be many that consider astrology to be an important part of parapsychology; this is odd, considering that astrology has a wide audience, and a long recorded history across the globe. For the purposes of this essay, however, parapsychology, and psi phenomena, will be limited to the study of ESP, PK, and after-death (including out-of-body experiences) phenomena."
Abstract The subject of ESP or extrasensory perception is one that has created a large amount of debate and discussion in the parapsychological world. Some people view ESP as a form of fantasy or imagination which has no relation to reality. Others view ESP as an important human function which has always been part of human history. The purpose of this paper is to explore some of these views and to come to an understanding of what ESP is all about. The central theme of the paper is: how does ESP differ from other forms of knowledge?
Outline
Introduction
What is ESP?
Views on ESP
Conclusion
From the Paper "There are many arguments for and against the reality of ESP. When we consider ESP in the ordinary world of science and logical proof it is obvious that many people will consider ESP to be a fiction or even a fraud. The world we live in is essentially materialistic. This means that modern society does not believe in things that cannot be touched to proven though the methods of science. ESP therefore is often disbelieved and criticized. From the materialistic and modern scientific point of view, human knowledge and consciousness is "... nothing but an emergent product of the functioning of Brain, Body, and Nervous System (BBNS)." (ibid) This materialistic point of view refuses to accept that there is anything else besides that which we can touch and feel."
Abstract This paper defines telepathy as the direct transference of thought from one person (sender or agent) to another (receiver or percipient) without using the usual sensory channels of communication, hence a form of extrasensory perception (ESP). The author points out that, while the existence of telepathy has not yet been proved, some parapsychological research studies have produced favorable results using such techniques as card-guessing with a special deck of five sets of five cards. The paper relates in detail that Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, a theologian and philosopher, was able to determine why human beings are not telepathic.
Table of Contents
History
Experimental Findings
Theories
Telepathy: Belief in Parapsychological Phenomena - A Comparison of Males to Females
The Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas: Why Are We Not Telepathic?
From the Paper "Most often telepathy takes place in a person's mind when there is some kind of crisis or in situations where a relative or friend may have been injured or killed in an accident. At times, some people can see signs and become aware of the danger that may be posed at another person from a distance. However, information of this kind does not come in direct streams but in small broken or discontinuous thought fragments to tell us that something is wrong through our dreams, visions, hallucinations, mental images, in clairaudience, or simply in small hints that arise into the mind."
An examination and discussion of different theories proposed to explain clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis and other psi phenomena including electromagnetic radiation and quantum theory.
Abstract The strengths and weakness of various theories including extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic radiation waves and quantum theory as it applies to psi are discussed. Also examined are the problems of scientific paradigm shifts and the possibility that the statistical evidence for psi activity is an "anomaly" in our current paradigm and a precursor to a paradigm shift.
From the Paper "Parapsychology occupies a unique position within the scientific realm. The results of the field are often considered invalid, fraudulent, or insignificant. Psi is often thought to be inconsistent with the current knowledge of physics. Despite the large body of statistical evidence for anomalous cognition, psi will not be widely accepted until a solid, testable physical theory is developed. Although the uncertainties and seemingly illogical consequences of quantum theory seem promising for the development of this sort of theory, as yet none exists."
Tags: elf, occult, paradigm, parapsychology, psychic, quantum, statistics, testing, theory
This paper evaluates the paranormal phenomena of "people being able to read minds" or as it is more scientific called: "Extra sensory perception" (ESP), "precognition", "controlled remote viewing" and "anomalous cognition".
Abstract This paper states that, to date, parapsychology research has only been able to demonstrate the likelihood of the ability to "read minds". The author reviews the SCAI experiments but believes that science has not been able to explain clearly and definitively the phenomena. He concludes that currently science believes the probability of people being able to read minds is low though evidence in the future may indicate otherwise.
From the Paper "Recent premises for the above claim by parapsychologists are the results of the ganzfeld, the random-number generator, and the famous SRI and SAIC experiments. Prima facie, it would appear that there is a great deal of empirical evidence to indicate that mind reading can and does happen. However, a closer look will reveal that all the cited examples of scientifically approached experiments suffered from certain limitations. The SAIC experiments on anomalous mental phenomena have been acknowledged by a large body of respected scientists to be methodologically and statistically superior to the earlier SRI research as well as to previous parapsychological studies, since they avoided all the major flaws such as non-independent trials and the problems of multiple statistical testing that was characteristic of much of the previous work."
From the Paper "The process through which astrologers cast charts seems to be a mysterious one -? at least to the lay public. The arcane knowledge and the mathematical calculations required to construct a horoscope have made astrology the field of the professional rather than the amateur.
However, the time has come to divulge a trade secret of astrology: While there is certainly a body of knowledge required to create a horoscope -? and both intuition and intelligence are certainly called for -? the mathematical abilities required to construct a horoscope are in fact relatively minimal. The relative simplicity of the technical skills involved in creating a horoscope, and the benefits of personal, hand mathematical calculations over computer-derived ones have become increasingly important as an issue as more and more computer programs are developed.."
From the Paper "Feng shui is a form of traditional Chinese magic that remains a significant element in modern Asian culture. Adherents of this superstition employ a variety of manipulations to maintain "good" feng shui and to avoid "bad" feng shui. Even an elite metropolis like Hong Kong is not immune to the influence of feng shui practices in architecture, real estate, business, and government.
Feng shui is considered a form of geomancy. Although the literal translation of feng shui means "wind and water," the significance of four environmental elements: wind, water, light, and the earth's topography are involved. These elements interact with a building's design and structure, and affect its desirability.
Feng shui originated in ancient Chinese culture and has..."
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to discuss the "New Age" movement. It will be seen that this represents in many ways the changes that society is currently undergoing in its shift from an industrial way of life to the values of an information age. The "New Age" movement is one that gradually grew out of the ideals of the 1960s counter-culture movements in America and elsewhere. In that decade, the so-called baby boom generation came of age and began exploring and developing its own value systems, which often sharply contrasted with the established standards of the previous age. There was a general understanding among the youth of that period that the world was entering the "Age of Aquarius" and that new lifestyles would have to emerge out of that transition. As such, there was an explosion of interest in (...)"
Abstract This paper takes a look at the scientific explanations for the appearance of ghosts. The paper disputes the supernatural origins of ghosts and offers reasonable and scientific theories for the well-known phenomenon that occurs at a haunting.
From the Paper "One case in particular proves the power of imagination and suggestion in regards to those who are searching for proof that ghosts do exist. Arthur Machen, a journalist and author of paranormal fiction wrote a fictional account of the British Army's retreat from the occupying German forces from Mons, France in 1914. Machen reported in a "fanciful" tale that phantom archers and soldiers from a medieval battle between the English and French from many centuries before. The ghosts, according to Machen, supplied a "rear guard" that allowed the English withdrawal and even caused some casualties within the Germans.
Problem was the fiction quickly became "fact" as reports came in from the soldiers on the field about the "angels" assisting their efforts. Even when Machen decried the whole story as a work of fiction, people kept sending him reports of the Angels. Even after the war, a German officer claimed a horse "rear up" and tossed him off after being startled by the ghostly soldiers. (Didier, 2007)"
Abstract This paper discusses near death experiences, providing some historical background and literature on the subject, particularly from S. Blackmore who analyzed some of the most famous and ancient near death stories, many of which are fictional but according to the author still relevant to the discussion, as they do tend to follow a particular pattern.
Outline:
NDI Definition
Historical Perspectives
Studies/Research/Literature Review
Difficulties & Limitations of Conducting NDE studies; Reliability & Validity Medical Theories (Biological/Physiological Causes)
Psychological Theories (Psychodynamics, Jung, Parapsychology, Object-Relations etc.
Alternative Explanations ("Scientific Naysayers" - Atwater)
Near-Death Look-a-Likes (e.g., NDE vs. MPD;
Various Types of Experiences (Children vs. Adults) - based on case studies
Demographic, Cross-Cultural (e.g., African American, Mapuche, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Native American, Australia, Euro-American, etc.), and Religious Factors
Meanings & Aftereffects (Psychological & Physiological)
Mental Health Professionals' Attitudes and Knowledge
Commonly reported patient expectations of mental health clinicians
Clinical Dilemma
Clinical Implications & Interventions
From the Paper "From this inquiry has come analysis of historical literature, regarding near death stories. Blackmore in 1993 offers a brief but effective analysis of some of the most famous and ancient of near death stories, many of which are fictional but according to the author still relevant to the discussion, as they do tend to follow a particular pattern, that is significantly influenced by context and theology but that is also patterned much like the Moody timeline. Blackmore's first example is Plato's famous story of return from death found in the Republic. (Blackmore, 1993, p. 8)"
