The relevance of philosophy to psychical research : a critical examination of claims and methods
After a hundred years, psychical research (and experimental parapsychology) are still regarded as pseudosciences. Despite sceptical attacks, however, work continues: the results cannot be lightly dismissed. Evaluation of this work demands philosophical attention, since there are large metaphysical assumptions made, and the experimental results are vulnerable to logical criticism. The supposed kinds of paranormal phenomena are anatomized, and the current terminology criticized. Broad's basic limiting principles are examined, and the extent to which psychical research might threaten conventional science is considered. The metaphysical foundations of psychical research are examined. Psychical research takes a dualist view of human beings, although its experiments are behavioristic. Survival of death is assumed to be a matter susceptible to empirical verification. These assumptions are critically examined. I argue that ESP neither gives us knowledge, nor is it a form of perception. Although psychical researchers interpret their results in causal terms, this is illegitimate. Backwards causation, therefore, need not be canvassed as an explanation. As the basis for a scientific discipline, spontaneous cases are inadequate,
Lord, John Anthony
Metaphysics/physical research
The relevance of philosophy to psychical research : a critical examination of claims and methods. After a hundred years, psychical research (and experimental parapsychology) are still regarded as pseudosciences. Despite sceptical attacks, however, work continues: the results cannot be lightly dismissed. Evaluation of this work demands philosophical attention, since there are large metaphysical assumptions made, and the experimental results are vulnerable to logical criticism. The supposed kinds of paranormal phenomena are anatomized, and the current terminology criticized. Broad's basic limiting principles are examined, and the extent to which psychical research might threaten conventional science is considered. The metaphysical foundations of psychical research are examined. Psychical research takes a dualist view of human beings, although its experiments are behavioristic. Survival of death is assumed to be a matter susceptible to empirical verification. These assumptions are critically examined. I argue that ESP neither gives us knowledge, nor is it a form of perception. Although psychical researchers interpret their results in causal terms, this is illegitimate. Backwards causation, therefore, need not be canvassed as an explanation. As the basis for a scientific discipline, spontaneous cases are inadequate,
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