英语论文网

ther words, parapsychology is using a scientific approach to study experiences that may be paranormal and 'to determine whether or not the evident paranormal quality of a given class of parapsychological experience is authentic or ontologically real.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 9)

According to Irwin, 'recorded instances of parapsychological experiences of course may be found among all cultures and in all historic periods.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 13) Yet, the testing of such experiences for accuracy and authenticity was slower to emerge. Some, 'such as Henry More and Joseph Glanvill showed themselves alert to the possibility of fraud, delusion, and unreliable observation', but their views more religious than scientific as they were 'endeavoring to ascertain the earthly presence of the devil and diabolical forces.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 14) It was later that Francis Bacon made a call 'for objective scrutiny of parapsychological experiences' (Irwin, 1999, pg 14) which was more scientific than More and Glanvill, but 'at the time society was not receptive to such a view and Bacon's arguments went unheeded.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 14) Then, a center in England called the Society for Psychical Research where parapsychologists are 'united in their conviction that the objective investigation of parapsychological phenomena was called for, despite the prevailing disinterest in such research among the established divisions of science.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 13) Even today, most of society disregards the subject as scientific, yet 'parapsychology is under taken as a scientific endeavor regardless of its subject matter, flaws in any of its research procedures, and the skeptical rhetoric of its critics.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 2) Therefore, Irwin states that, 'All ESP experiences thus are parapsychological, but we require proof that any of them could be paranormal.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 2)

How do parapsychologists know that an experience is truly paranormal? According the Elgee, 'Competent paranormal investigators will attempt to rule out the anomaly' (Elgee, 2009, pg 1) or anything that seems abnormal or irregular. If someone captures a photo of a strange orb or mist, parapsychologists would ask all questions possible in order to rule out irregularities such as: 'is it a reflection? Is it a bug? Is it dust? Is it condensation on the lens of the camera? Is it a problem with the developing and/or printing process?' (Elgee, 2009, pg 1) Yet, according to Irwin, parapsychologists focus of study 'is purely a matter of appearance, of how an experience seems to be.' (Irwin, 1999, pg 2) Therefore, 'even if the survival hypothesis proves not to provide a legitimate basis for their conceptual integration, each of these experiences appears to entail the existence of a nonphysical or spiritual self' (Irwin, 1999, pg 9) thereby, the experience is parapsychological. The authenticity of the experience 'relates to the question of whether the issue of underlying processes concerns the question of how?' (Irwin, 1999, pg 9) For it to be paranormal, the question of must be raised. How is this possible? How did this come here? How did it happen? If the question of how cannot be answered, it is hence called paranormal. Yet, there are groups today that are causing a steadfast declination in the belief of the paranormal. They are 'damaging the credibility of legitimate and accomplished paranormal researchers and parapsychologists by posting photographs that are easily dismissed as well-