Pseudoscience and Extraordinary Claims of the Paranormal: A Critical Thinker's Toolkit

by Jonathan C. Smith (University of Roosevelt, Chicago, USA )

• ISBN13: 9781444310139
• ISBN10: 1444310135
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-10-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Pseudoscience and Extraordinary Claims of the Paranormal: A Critical Thinker's Toolkit provides readers with a variety of "reality-checking" tools to analyze extraordinary claims and to determine their validity. Integrates simple yet powerful evaluative tools used by both paranormal believers and skeptics alike Introduces innovations such as a continuum for ranking paranormal claims and evaluating their implications Includes an innovative "Critical Thinker's Toolkit," a systematic approach for performing reality checks on paranormal claims related to astrology, psychics, spiritualism, parapsychology, dream telepathy, mind-over-matter, prayer, life after death, creationism, and more Explores the five alternative hypotheses to consider when confronting a paranormal claim Reality Check boxes, integrated into the text, invite students to engage in further discussion and examination of claims Written in a lively, engaging style for students and general readers alike

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Continuum Mysteriosum

Making Sense out of Mysteries: The Continuum Mysteriosum Extraordinary, Nonparanormal Mysteries An Invitation

Why Study These Things?

The Dangers of Unexamined Paranormal Claims The Risk of Paranormal Passion and the Critical Thinkers Toolkit Eight Reality-Checks: The Critical Thinkers Toolkit

The Critical Thinkers Toolkit Evaluate Support For A Claim

Reality Check: Are the Sources Credible?

Astrology

Questionable Sources

The Question of Authority

When Experts Get It Wrong

An Invitation to Question

Reality Check: Is the Logic Valid and Sound?

Basic Logic

Informal Logical Fallacies

Premises, Logic, and Hypothesis Testing

Reality Check: Are Claims Based on Science: (Observations, Tests, and Theories)?

Observations

Tests

Theories

Sagans Balance and the FEDS Standard

Science and Alternative Hypotheses

Consider Alternative Explanations

Reality Checking for Oddities of Nature and the World of Numbers Probability Estimates and Bias Math Ignorance Coincidences The Clumpiness of Randomness The Law of Very Large Numbers Science and Chance

Summary: Psychic Bias

Reality Checking for Perceptual Error and Trickery Top-Down Processes and Perception Manipulations of Magicians and Psychics: The Cold Reading Toolkit Hypnotic Suggestion Enhancers

Reality Checking for Memory Errors Memory Myths What is Memory?

Memory Errors

Deja vu

The Deja vu Reality Check

Reality Checking for the Placebo Effect What are Placebos?

Weak and Strong Placebos

Is the Placebo Effect Real? Underlying ?Placebogenic? Mechanisms Placebos and Superstitious Beliefs Placebo Controversies Placebos and Performance

Reality Checking for Sensory Anomalies and Hallucinations Sensory Phenomena Migraines Tunnel Experiences Hallucinations Hallucinations and the Critical Thinkers Toolkit

The Paranormal Files

Spiritualism and the Survival Hypothesis History of the Spiritualist Movement Impact of Spiritualism Spiritualism Today Research on Life after Death Research on Channeling and Mediums Conclusion

Parapsychology The Language of Parapsychology Research on PSI

Conclusion: The State of PSI Research

Energy Treatments and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Contemporary Views of Energy: The Scientific Perspective Concepts of Energy in Children and Western History: Vitalism Chinese History and Energy: The Yin-Yang School Chinese Energy Treatments Western Energy Treatments Conclusion

Supernatural Cures and Faith Healing The Varieties of Healing Experience The Evidence

Creationism, Intelligent Design, and God Great Debate Things Great and Small

The Reality Checkup: Using your Toolkit The Reality Checkup How to Carry on a Civilized Discussion about the Paranormal Parting Words: The Paranormal Challenge

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Critical Thinking and Paranormal Resources

Susan Blackmore on Paranormal Research

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