Alternative/Paranormal seems to be a new section. How do you do this? Can we get one for skeptics as well?

Question

Just curious. I would never have put something like this in the Science and Math section.

Not even with the qualifier "alternative".

So how did this come about? How about one for atheist/secular humanists who want real Science and Math?

Answer 1

I think the Science category IS the place for skeptics, and the Alternative/Paranormal sub-categories especially benefit from the participation of skeptics. Skepticism and scientific investigation go hand-in-hand. Some misinformed people might think that skepticism is the dismissal of ideas without giving them their due consideration, but nothing is further from the truth. Skepticism merely requires that claims be supported by credible evidence. This mirrors the scientific method, where hypotheses must be supported by credible physical evidence in order to be accepted as at least tentatively true. Since Alternative/Paranormal subcategories are under Science & Math, it is only appropriate to respond to ALL paranormal questions with a skeptical, scientific answer.

Given the above, a subcategory for ghost stories, spell casting, curses and auras would seem very misplaced under Science & Math. If the Alternative section here were a place where actual experiments in the paranormal are discussed, experimental protocols critiqued, methods and results debated, I think that would be fine. I'd actually enjoy that and it would be entirely appropriate under Science & Math. But instead we have a category filled with people asking how they can become telekinetic, how to protect themselves from evil spirits or who has the scariest ghost story. Yeesh.

Answer 2

If you have a separate category, how do you have any discussion...unless all you want is for people to agree with you? Who knows...you challenge a concept on here and maybe someone might actually give you information to change your mind...and vice versa...that is if you can keep the discussion civil.

Answer 3

You seem to be confusing paranormal with religion, that are far from the same.

The fact that 99.9 percent of paranormal researchers and enthusiest are complete BS and dont approach it from a scientific point of view doesnt make it less science.

There are people who do approach the paranormal as a branch of science.

Should we be so pompus as to believe that we know everything about everything in the universe?

Should we just proclaim everyone who thinks they see a ghost as a crackpot?

I mean, technically I could argue that Astronomy is not science. Can you test hypothesis on such ideas black holes and supernovas, and such? Not using the scientific method. We dont even know what gravity is, only how to calculate it fairly close.

Answer 4

Yeah we definitely need a section for atheists, not just "religion and spirituality".  I'm tired of the religion war showing up in all the other categories!  Just keep the Christians to themselves, and we can have our own little place to talk about big science-y stuff.

Answer 5

This is a wonderful suggestion!  It's a great idea to have a forum for skeptics!!

Answer 6

Hello there :-)

To me this category represents metaphysics, a branch of exploration that sort of fills for the unexplainable occurences in science and religion.  It was because of studies of science and spiritualism that I developed an interest in a more esoteric science.  What lies beyond our vision?  Isn't it a bit of skepticism to say, "If we can't see it or define it in numbers it can't exist?"  

There are categories for 'real' science and math :-)  Hasn't anything ever happened to you that led you to wonder a tiny bit if there isn't more?  If you could present logical, scientific explanations for some of the events I've witnessed, I'd actually welcome them.  Until those exist we have the 'alternative' discussion and explore possibilities.  

Personally, I welcome atheist/secular humanist questions in any category because the balance is a welcome addition.

Best wishes

Answer 7

Science has always been about discovery of the para-normal.

What was once mystical is now normal because of science.