Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

Ray Hyman raised an interesting problem with the errr science of parapsychology. There's no "paradigm experiment". Every science has at least one: a basic experiment you can give to all 101 level students. "Go do this experiment and these are the results you'll get, unless you muck it up." After 100 years of "research" there's no single, repeatable experiment in parapsychology (or pretty much any pseudo science) that demonstrates the basic paradigm of the field.

Odd that.

[Woland]

I was going to say evidence, results, validity but if you want to harp about lack of method, that's fine, too.

[Demophobe]

[hermes.trismegistus]

[mindmetoo]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Demophobe]

And mood rings.

[hermes.trismegistus]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[mindmetoo]

[Omkara]

mindmetoo,

Maybe I'm coming into this conversation late. I agree with you, that scientific scrutiny ought to be respected. The idea that only a falsifiable propositon may be granted admittance into science is great; for, only those which are not proven false ultimately gain scientific respect and prove useful in real science. The bolder the proposition which yeilds results and which is not falsified, the greater and more revolutionary the proposition. Some of these propositions even shift paradigms, uproot authority, create revolution.

Too often, people "shoe-fit" in order to make their fantasies seem true. These kinds of propositions are not scientific insofar as they are not testable--hence, not falsifiable. What I especially like about the idea of falsifiability is that it invites criticism and consequently minimizes the margin of error; it keeps conjecture and superstition in their place, below the statis of law or fountation. Consequently, since every proposition may and should be questioned by any and by all, the idea is dear to those of us who love liberty, free thought, and who want to be free from any tyranical dogma and from the "Thought-Police."

Now, when you speak of "parapsychology," you speak of it as being bereft a paradigm. You are correct. There is no paradigm for these strange theories and conjectures. That, in a sense, is exactly the point. The subject of parapsychology is a set of anomalies which graw at the foundations of the existing paradigm.

Yet it does not follow that all of the parapsychological attempts at explaination of the anomalies are not testable. There are great minds at work in the field; though, owing to prejudice and superstitious taboo, many great minds do not attempt to do honest work with the problems.

In one sense, this set of anomalies is wierd. They offend our common sense notions and metaphysical underpinnings. Consequently, certain psychological predispositions are attracted to them. Some of those predispositions are "looney." Others are not so looney.

The same applies to the critics.

Be careful not to dismiss this field so quickly. The problems they are trying to solve are real problems; only our materialistic superstitions prejudice us into thinking that the problems are not real, or that our theories or paradigms ARE in the final analysis real.

One thing that underlies the anxiety which leads one to dismiss these problems is the fact the the problems imply that the very foundation of our scientific enterprise--namely the particular form of our causal model--is undermined. Consequently, so too our epistemology. But then, did not Socrates say that the basis of his wisdom was his knowledge that he did not know?

This is the irony of skepticism: the foundation of its doubt is often is a set of beliefs which are thought beyond reproach. Skepticism is very often dishonest; and for its bold and aggressive criticism, it often masks an insidious cowardice. This cowardice finds solace in an appeal to authority.

In short, examine the emotional content of any argument, and we'll find that very few intellectuals are really very honest; though, every proposition is a kind of confession.[/i]

[khyber]

phrenology?
I personally, am going to make that one of my pet projects when I get home. I'm gonna be a phrenologist..... go to farmer's markets with signs that say stuff like "Take a look at your inner self!" and ""Be Mezmorized!" and "You haven't had a lover know you this well"!

[hermes.trismegistus]

[igotthisguitar]

Kuhn & his paradigm theory?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Samuel_Kuhn

Synochronicity is cool, albeit seemingly non-falsifiable in a strictly Popperian sense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronicity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper

What now mind you of the OUIJA?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija

TOO CREEPY !!!

[mindmetoo]