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There is quite a lot of apparently good evidence for the existence of certain psi abilities in the literature of parapsychology, psychical research and also in certain ethnographic documents. On 7 July 2010 20:07, Ted Hand <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I'm of the opinion that anything positive about occult or magical traditions > should be easily explainable in rational terms. There are concrete benefits > to esoteric spiritualities which are no more mysterious than other religious > systems. But on the other hand I think it's important to keep in mind that > many magical procedures do not work. We don't necessarily need to find > the occult worthy of study because we believe in magic. > > I'm with you in finding the skepticism of Randi etc. uncomfortable. Just > like > the New Atheists and the Global Warming Deniers. I'd prefer to have a view > of science that remains within the limitations that we understand very well. > Science does not need to make overreaching demands, nor should it be put > on a pedastal and worshipped. Neither should magic! > > cheers, > Ted Hand (MA student, GTU in CA) > > > On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 11:03 AM, Alexander Hay <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: >> >> Dear Fellow Subscribers, >> >> As someone from an arts/humanities background, I've had an interest in >> the occult for quite a while. On the other hand, I'm also a big >> supporter of the scientific method and proof through application. For >> example, on one web forum I subscribe to, much is made of how >> impractical and unsubstantiated some of the more 'mystical' martial >> arts, like Aikido, are in comparison to fighting methods like boxing, >> judo or Kyokushin karate as these depend on pressure testing (as in, >> full contact sparring) as the core of their training. >> >> I do however feel rather alienated by the 'skeptic' movement, despite >> admiring James Randi, as I find it is by definition an ideological >> mindset rather than a truly scientific perspective. I thus find myself >> in a quandary. Am I a believer or just someone into fanciful ideas? >> This leads me onto another thought. If magic is 'real', can it be >> proven? By that, I mean can magical events be quantified, can these >> results be falsified and can such findings survive vigorous peer >> review? >> >> Your thoughts please, and if not, many thanks for your time. >> >> Regards, >> >> - Alexander > > -- www.paranthropology.weebly.com www.discarnates.blogspot.com