Mystical Wonders Discussion Group

mratanas · Joined: 05 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Many people that don't believe psychic phenomena exists believe that there isn't any proof of its existence. Part of the difficulty in testing activities such as these is simply that we don't really know what it is yet.

One possibility is that these abilities are testable using technology but we simply have not tweaked our instruments in the right way to make any sort of measurable conclusions. Another possibility is that these phenomena exist outside of our normal physical realm and are not detectable via our 5 senses or using any instruments we could build.

I am sure many people in this forum have experienced psychic phenomena and have a perspective on this.

Do you think it is possible to scientifically test psychic phenomena?

Thanks!

Lumpino · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 11

There is possibility. Depends on the methods used. Empiricism is a scientific method too.

Ratmaster · Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 82

Some phenomena can be tested scientifically, and some can't. To be scientific, one needs data, and data is that stuff with numbers in it.

One can, for example, prove scientifically that one can manifest events. One cannot prove scientifically that one is an empath.

Fancy instruments are not needed for science if one has another method of collecting data.

Derestanne · Joined: 29 Oct 2009 Posts: 50

You might find the story of Jose Silva and his Silva Method of Mind Development relevant to your question. In the 1950's, Silva developed a technique to help his children get better grades in school. In the process, his daughter began to answer questions to tests before each question was presented! Silva concluded that he had found a way to teach ESP!

He sent a letter to Duke University (famous for ESP research) about his experiences with his daughter. Duke University replied that the daughter may have been psychic before Silva did anything and there was no way to know for certain without further tests and studies.

Some years later, the Silva Method of Mind Development was determined to be a true ESP Development Technique. Graduates of the program today number in the millions worldwide.

My point to all of this is that we have a never ending "Chicken and the Egg" paradox with psychic phenomena. Can we trust the ancidotal evidence? Or must every experience be examined with cold scientific investigation? Very often something unusual happens with hundreds of witnesses before science can begin to understand the event in question. Often the scientific explanation is arrived at well after the fact! Very Happy

	Mystical Wonders Discussion Group Forum Index -> General Spiritual Topics	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1