Isn't the field of paranormal research a legitimate science?

Question

Why does it seem it is not taken seriously by some?

Answer 1

No...many of its tenets are not falsifiable or predictive, so it fails the test of being actual scientific research. That does not mean some aspects of it may be real; it just does not fall under the definition of actual scientific thought...perhaps someday it will...

Answer 2

It depends on who you ask.I think not and I base it on this fact.The overwhelming majority of Colleges and Universities worldwide offer zero courses on it.Most scientists consider it baseless nonsense.I'm sure there's a reason for that.

Answer 3

That should have been the case. However, paranormal phenomenon is still not accepted as a legitimate science. Perhaps the main reason is that science is based on anything which can be studied based on standards, anything which can be expressed through formulas or theories, and applied into everyday situations. Paranormal phenomenon contradicts those factors-- it cannot be learned, cannot be explained, and only a few has the capability to utilize it. That is also the main reason why it is not taken seriously by some people.

Answer 4

While paranormal research is not considered an area of science parapsychology has been considered a science since 1969 when the Parapsychological Association (link below) was voted an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (link below).

However, paranormal research can and does use (in many not all cases) established methods of investigations and experiments from many legitimate sciences like physics, experimental parapsychology, statistics, criminology, etc.

The difficulty with it being accepted is the large number of amateurs in the field who bring their own religious beliefs (see Paranormal State) on investigations and often fail to apply methods of science to their investigations.

I myself hope that one day parapsychologist will come down from their ivory academic towers and instruct amateurs on how to conduct investigations and experiments so that amateurs can contribute in the paranormal field the same way that amateurs have made great contributions to the field of astronomy.

The link below is one sight that is starting that attempt.

Psi

Answer 5

Science research works on funding. That is why, different fields of science are at a debate. If one theory can out do another, the funding goes to that dept.

That is why a lot of physicist tries to put down Quantum Physics & different testing like the String Theory. The string theory will cancell alot of other theories, if it is proven. The monies will be stopped.

Funding for the paranormal is on the very low list. Duke University has done a lot of testing in it's time, to just to name one.

Again, it is all about money.

Answer 6

there are too many con artist out there.

testing is extremely hard

people dont like to be seen as being gullible

this is also true of science

Answer 7

well I don't know that for sure, well some people don't believe in ghosts tell paranormal activity starts happening to them.

Answer 8

It is not only a legitimate area of inquiry but a very important one.   It is not taken seriously because the scientific method does not work very well in this area, and some people have been conditioned to think that something which cannot be proven by the scientific method is not true.

Deenie is right, I think, that most people have had unexplainable experiences of some kind.  But in our culture we have been taught to discount what our own senses tell us if the experience does not meet our expectations of reality.

Answer 9

It shouldn't be considered paranormal ...it should be considered "normal". Who in their life has NEVER had a spiritual experience or not at least believed in the spiritual world? I really can 't believe that there's anyone since birth who hasn't at least "sensed" something...or if they had a close relative or friend die.."believed" that they're with them in spirit or "went somewhere" in spirit...or believed in guardian angels etc. I think you'd have to be taught NOT to believe in anything spiritual. Even Helen Keller who was deaf & blind said she "sensed" someone spiritual was with her.

Answer 10

If you apply the scientific method to studying any phenomena it is a science.