Is investigating the paranormal a true science?

Question

Is investigating the paranormal a true science?

Answer 1

While many of the folks who do this are sincere, and try to do what they think is science, in reality almost all of them are doing pseudo-science.

Pseudoscientists start with an belief, (ghosts exist) and then look for evidence to confirm this idea.(magnetic field fluctuations)  often with the use of flashy sciency gadgets like EMF detectors without first showing that EMF is indicative of ghosts or that ghosts even exist.

Scientists using an EMF detector notice a phenomena (magnetic field fluctuations) then develop a hypothesis to account for it (ferrous metal in the area), then test to see if that hypothesis is correct.

Answer 2

No, it is not a science at all but a belief system. I understand how you can mistake it for a science since some of the believers claim to be scientist when they are not. They name themselves such and such center for paranormal research etc thus sounding very scientific but further investigation finds these people do not earn their living doing this and have no degrees to show they have any scientific background. they earn their living doing things like plumbing. publishing,  warehouse etc.

They use instruments they claim are scientific instruments but cannot prove they can document anything paranormal with these instruments.

Here is an interesting article about the use of these instruments.

http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/0...

Answer 3

I'm not sure.

Answer 4

Not according to most colleges and Universities in the world.Pretty much it's all been looked at many times.There's nothing there to study.

Answer 5

No,  but that should not matter. It is a fun way to spend extra time.

Answer 6

It certainly can be, but the problem is when they do it right they never find anything.  So anyone still doing it is probably not practicing science very well - which is why they never get published in real journals.  Until they actually find something, it won't be considered a valid field of study.

Answer 7

Any investigation that employs science as a means to analyze evidence, is indeed a science! Anyone who says otherwise is simply deluding themselves!