In
English:
ABOUT MEFILES
ARTICLES
POETRY
OTHER
Other
languages:
Bosanski
Espaņol
|
I'd like to
discuss a very interesting phenomenon: the
proliferation of the pseudo-sciences nowadays.
You can find it everywhere: in the
newspapers, where dozens of so-called astrologists,
tarotists, ufologists
and who-knows-what-else-"ists" announce their "extraordinary
abilities to foresee you future, protect you from any
mischief etc.". The critique is weaker and
weaker each day. We have stepped into a new millennium
with the ancient superstitions, beliefs and myths. What
a tragedy for our Rationalist ancestors!
|
The new dark age?
|
| An
Introduction Let's
set one thing clear first, the science is not a
panacea, the all-in-one solution, the perfect
cure-all. But it is the most efficient we know, and the
only unbiased one. Yet, any of these "paranormal"
phenomena may be real, but it might be unexplainable by
the current level of science.
Do you believe it?
|
But, for each one "paranormal"
transformed into "normal", we
have thousands of frauds. Yes, people two
centuries ago would thought of the air flight,
the microwaves, the satellites and the remote
control as paranormal phenomena...today easily
explainable by the science. |
The scientific method of research
bounds tightly the theoretic knowledge with the empirical
experience. We formulate a hypothesis, search any prove
of it, then confirm it with experiments. And, when a
scientific hypothesis is proven, it may be experimented
any time, always with the same result. No "paranormal"
influences. As William Occam said centuries ago: "The
most simple solution is often the real one". No need
for afterworld's creatures, cosmic explorers or telepathy
where "feet-on-the-ground" science can cope.
Of course, the science is not the human unique way of
acknowledge. We have arts, music, philosophy...and all
those disciplines complement themselves. But the science
is the most effective one if we want to explain the world
around or inside us, as it combines the theory with the
praxis.
The Threat
| Today, it is easily to
be tempted to believe in paranormal phenomena.
But, if we just apply a bit of sceptic spirit,
those unstable images vanish. With the appearance
of Internet it is easier than ever to recruit new
believers in any subject. Just look at all those
web sites about any of the para-sciences. We
should be ashamed of the decay of critical spirit.
The modern life has made us more "influentiable".
Think for yourself! Be critic! Be sceptic! Never
take anything for granted, prove it! |
 |
I'll enumerate some of the most
common paranormal beliefs:
- Life after death
- UFO's
- Telepathic and similar
abilities
- Clairvoyance and foretelling
- Alternative ways of curing
illnesses
- Chain-letters
- Amulets
- Astrology
We thought of the Medieval Age to
be the most superstitious one, but we have not advanced
too much. Just stop for a minute and think how many para-sciences
have you seen in one day. Horoscopes, predictions,
amulets...welcome to the New Age of the Mankind!
What can you
do to combat this?
You can apply a few useful rational criteria to help you
unmask pseudoscience from the real science. You can
promote sceptical and critic view of the everyday issues.
You can send complaint letters, you can set up a website
about de-mythification. It's up to you!
You can also join some sceptical
organisation, for instance, CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific
Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal).
But, first and last, THINK
SCEPTICALLY!
|
