Can physics and psychology explain away ghosts and paranormal phenomena?

Question

Can physics and psychology explain away ghosts and paranormal phenomena?

Answer 1

psychics cant even explain away their own phenomena. Much less ghosts.

Answer 2

Before you "explain something away" shouldn't you first establish whether or not such a thing exists?  Science has been trying to do this for decades without any appreciable result.

Answer 3

Perhaps but just not quite yet. Hypnosis was once thought to be paranormal or supernatural much like ESP is thought of today. However, in time hypnosis proved useful as a tool for helping people on a consistent basis and is somewhat accepted today. For instance they have a professional division in the American Psychological Association. Hypnosis still has very little testable theory behind it.

Psychology has contributed many things concerning perception and errors and interpretations of ambiguous perceptions as well possible causes of hallucinations from temporal lobe seizures to basic grief. However, there is a marked difference in most hallucinations between those suffering an illness like schizophrenia and those that report seeing their deceased relatives once or twice after death. Unfortunately most therapist have no education, training or exposure to unusual phenomena to allow them to distinguish frequent occurrences in the general population versus a mental disorder.

When psychology actually decides to study the whole of human experience as one of it's founders and leading contributor William James suggested then psychology will no doubt contribute to the field of ghosts and paranormal phenomena as they are both part of the human experience.

I believe physics could have an important role and some step outside the box and try to find theories that might explain unusual events. However, most gave up in the 1800's when ghosts defied photography and all known measurements of the time. Physicist like Helmut Schmidt of the Parapsychology Association conducted experiments for psychokinesis in an attempt to provide evidence and perhaps gain more knowledge about PK.

However, stepping outside your area of expertise even within your field can challenge your career prospects much less stepping outside what people consider to be your field. I also think that psychology and physics will have to work together to contribute something of greater value to parapsychology.

Answer 4

Honestly? If someone doesn't want to believe, no amount of "proof" would convince them. So the answer to this is yes of course. It doesn't mean that person is right. I know spirits and paranormal phenomena exist; but I can't prove it in a solid, scientific way.

Answer 5

No...but they think they can. The only way they could would be if it really wasn't paranormal to begin with . (that's why all they say is "no evidence".) I'd love to see it (real paranormal events) explained.

Answer 6

Physics no,Psychology yes.It will explain why people continue to believe in ghosts and the paranormal.In fact it already has.The word hasn't gotten around to everyone yet.