Date: Friday, 26 February
Time: 14:30 to 16:30
Venue: HB 20-17 (Sociology Seminar Room 2)

Parapsychology: Science or Showmanship?

Abstract

The scientific status of Parapsychology has been a controversial issue for some time now. Many arguments have been made for and against its legitimacy, and it would be grossly overambitious to try and reach a definite answer to the question of Parapsychology’s scientific legitimacy in this paper. Instead, I would like to show that due to the peculiar and controversial nature of the subject matter dealt with by Parapsychologists, the question of demarcation becomes infinitely more complicated. Firstly, I present a brief outline of what exactly Parapsychology is, how it came to be, and what it deals with. I then examine the current criteria used to demarcate science from pseudo-science, looking especially at the work of Imre Lakatos. I then critically analyse the main criticisms levelled against Parapsychology, namely that of non-repeatability and fraud. These criticisms are shown to be insufficient for rejecting Parapsychology, and also illuminate a concerning tendency to being unjust, unscientific and unwarranted. Certain elements in Quantum Theory are then examined, as they may contain some scientific basis for the more unbelievable elements of Parapsychology. Lastly, I will attempt to anticipate and deal with criticisms by clearly distinguishing between parapsychologists and what I term pseudo-parapsychologists, as well as providing a reason why Parapsychology is striving to become recognized as a science. Finally, I conclude that the current criticisms levelled against parapsychology are not only unscientific and unwarranted, but also detrimental to the process of scientific progress, and that a thorough re-examination is necessary lest Parapsychology be rejected and thrown away for the wrong reasons.

For inquiries, contact the administrators; Lukas Nowak, Mark Kourie, Pite Raubenheimer or Stefan Smit on: [email protected]

[1] “The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.”
Alfred North Whitehead, Process and Reality

*The group holds weekly meetings where these topics are discussed and elaborated upon. Apart from the frequent smaller informal discussions by post-graduate students on topics of particular interest to them, Footnotes organises meetings in which more topical, controversial and hopefully fun discussions take place. Other events, such as the screening of philosophical films, are also organised by Footnotes. If you are a student of philosophy, or just have a general interest in philosophy, you are welcome to join our group and the discussions that it facilitates. Philosophy is first and foremost a discursive matter, so join us in bringing philosophy to life by participating in the discussions.