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Volume 16: Number 2: Article 1
Arguing for an Observational Theory of Paranormal Phenomena
Joop M. Houtkooper, Center for Psychbiology & Behavioral Medicine
at the Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
The problem of devising a theory for paranormal phenomena (psi) may
be separated into, first, the basic physical mechanism and second, the
psychological aspects of how and when people are able to elicit psi.
Observational theory addresses primarily the first aspect, the basic
physical mechanism of psi. A problem is that the known types of physical
interaction do not fit the existing data.
The measurement problem in quantum mechanics can be used to hypothesize
an observer who adds information at the collapse of the wave function.
For each random event one of the possible outcomes becomes realized
as the event is being observed. The basic tenet of observational theory
is: the statistics of single events become biased if the observer is
motivated and prefers one of the possible outcomes over the other.
Features of observational theory are: its predictive power, proven
with regard to retroactive psychokinesis (PK); parsimony: the same mechanism
explains ESP as well as PK; fruitfulness, as there is a direct relationship
with quantum mechanics; and openness to crucial experiments. The falsifiability
criterion poses some problems: these are discussed in relation to Lakatos'
methodology of research programmes.
Observational theory is a solution to the problem of the mediation
of psi, thus providing a framework for the psychological problem of
the manifestation of psi. Henceforth, the observation of the outcome
should be regarded as formal part of parapsychological experiments.
There is reason for cautious, patient optimism about the acceptance
of observational theory.
Keywords: observational theory, parapsychology, quantum mechanics,
non-locality, causality violation, precognition, psychokinesis, philosophy
of science
FULL TEXT:
Arguing for an Observational Theory of Paranormal Phenomena
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