Have you read the book Parapsychology and the Skeptics?

Question

It looks really interesting. Carter is being skeptical of the skeptics, questioning their conclusions and methods. It looks like a good analysis of the controversy, and it has received excellent reviews on Amazon. Have you read it? If so, what do you think?

Answer 1

I have not read it yet. I have several book I'm trying to get through before I even step foot into another book store.

However, I have listed a link below for you that also takes a hard look at the skeptics.

Psi

Answer 2

I'm more into novels these days,so I don't know if I'll read it.Chris Carter has a history with Skeptical Inquirer magazine.If you're interested here's a link to some articles.

Answer 3

Sounds like a true believer is criticizing those who are skeptical of parapsychology.  If he attempts to approach the subject objectively then it might be worth a read.  If it's just more apologetics then I think I'll pass.

The #1 endorsement they chose is a quote from Rupert Sheldrake.  Also on the list is Jessica Utts.  This says nothing of the validity of the book, but it does tell us a bit about the intended audience.

BTW, Amazon reviews are most often just people preaching to the choir.

Answer 4

It's on my short list of books to read, though I already know a bit about the book from reading excerpts and reviews. Carter talks of skeptics in the form of organized skepticism, seemingly with the more extreme forms of skepticism, and props this up as a strawman to be dismantled. I think this is unfortunate, and I would more appreciate a book that deals with skepticism as it exists within the realm of the scientific method and which examines parapsychology through that lens instead. Besides, it's a logical fallacy to think that debunking the position of Skeptic Joe or Skeptic Bob does anything to bolster the position of the parapsychologist. It's a mistake to treat it as an either-or binary situation.

I don't know how Carter examines the claims of parapsychology, but since this book is an argument for parapsychology as a legitimate study of real phenomena, I suspect he goes no deeper than the summarizing the various conclusions of parapsychology studies. If so, that would be truly disappointing since it is the methodology, execution and data analysis of these parapsychology studies which is the crux to establishing the claims of parapsychology.

I need to read it to offer any more of an opinion on it than that. Interesting question. I've got a vacation in Mexico coming up and maybe that's a book I can take with me :)

Answer 5

Yes, I read this book, and it is an excellent treatment of the subject.  It deals with both the soft and hard evidence, and carefully examines the claims of "skeptics" such as Susan Blackmore, James Randi, Rich Wiseman, etc..  

All of them are exposed for what they truly are: not true skeptics, but dogmatists more interested in defending their world-view than in getting to the truth.

It is shocking to learn how far these people have gone to deny and even supress the evidence that threatens their world-view (which Carter calls an ideology).

There is lots of discussion of evidence, history, the various points of view.  Its easy to read.  Check out the reviews on Amazon.