Paranormal, a broad concept. Part 2/4

There is a growing interest in "the paranormal". But what is that: paranormal? This is part 2 from a series of 4.

Science

Scientific research and human experiences show there is "more" than can be observed with our limited senses. Many animals see more - or different - colours than we do. Many birds and fish can feel and/or see magnetic fields. Where humans need infrared, roentgen and sonar equipment to see more than is possible with their own eyes, animals can do this naturally. People with such talents would soon be deemed "paranormal". This is why more and more people do research themselves, sometimes because they possess part of those abilities, or simply because the explanations they receive the regular way cannot be complete.

Media

The theme "paranormal" is popular in films and TV series, such as Charmed, Medium and Ghost Whisperer. Mediums, for example Derek Ogilvie and Char, have their own TV shows. And TV programmes such as The Unexplained have many viewers. Even science, with new studies such as quantum physics, is focusing on this phenomenon. Parapsychology is also taken seriously more often.

Parapsychology

Parapsychology is a branch of science in which research is done on the mental powers of humans. For a long time it was not acknowledged as science. This is because research done by parapsychologists often cannot be done according to scientific norms. It mostly lacks the ability to reproduce results. For example: does an entity show itself six times because it is asked to? Or: can you repeat a portentous dream on command?

Scientific norms ask for hard proof and evidence, but this is difficult to fulfil because parapsychology specialises in invisible forces. This does not mean that if you cannot prove something it therefore does not exist.

You could argue that science has its shortcomings in this area and that, for parapsychology, it is necessary to add new norms to the existing ones.

Sources: www.todio.nl