Does modern physics support or discount the spirituality and the paranormal?

Question

Would you say that modern physics models of the world (quantum mechanics, string theory, the holographic paradigm...) support the possibility of so-called paranormal phenomena (telepathy, psychokinesis etc) or discount them? Also, for the really brave, what about spirituality in general and the possibility of divine?

Obviously I'd like people who actually know about the subject to comment, but if you're going to insist, at least first watch the PBS documentary "The Elegant Universe", hosted by physicist Brian Greene:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/

Also take a look at at the "double slit experiment", which you can find here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4237751840526284618

You could also watch "What the bleep do we know?" which, while perhaps a bit less objective about the matter, still raises some very interesting points.

PS. I'm not looking for the best answer I agree with. 10 points to the best argument EITHER way. We're debating here, not arguing.

Answer 1

I don't know just how directly applicable modern physics could be to the paranormal; however, I think the paranormal could be studied in ways other than how it is currently treated if scientists would put their intellects to it. The concept of quantum entanglement would seem to suggest the possibility of what Einstein referred to as "spooky action at a distance," raising questions as to spontaneous knowledge of events or states that do not present themselves before the eyes but through other means. That, and the developing science of thought-controlled electronic devices for the handicapped would seem to suggest there are other ways for impulses to be transmitted so that they result in effects that might be translated by the uninitiated as "paranormal." Personally, I think the term is not a very good one, falling into an absurd category like "supernatural." Either something is natural or it isn't. Man is still uncovering the mysteries of the universe, and I, for one, do not discount the possibility of so-called "paranormal" events eventually finding explanation through physical concepts.

Answer 2

Well, the direction modern physics is heading, it leaves an opening for the supernatural. Quantum mechanics as we know it says that for any event, there is only a certain percent chance it will happen one way, or a certain percent chance it will happen any number of others. Scientists don't know what determines these probabilities, and some say that they cannot be derived even.

Even if science simplifies the entire universe down to one solitary equation, we are still left with how this became the equation to govern the universe. Why not another equation? What made this equation so special?

It's questions like these that will probably always leave the door open for supernatural circumstances.

Answer 3

Buddhism and quantum physics easily bypass jointly somewhat properly. i became analyzing Buddhism at college, and in basic terms starting up to meditate, even as a mess of the faster unconceivable physics began popping out. It became like they were proving a number of the Buddhist ideas i became suffering to understand. Aryeh Kaplan, between the pre-eminent Jewish pupils of this era, has been engaged on integrating modern-day cosmology into Jewish texts, such as interpretations of timing that get the dates to agree. Cool stuff. that is genuinely plausible. And makes a lot more effective experience than seeing them as adverse. faith became the first technology, attempting to describe what hadn't yet been defined in the different case. Supernatural is in basic terms operating in yet another measurement that we can't fullyyt locate. i'm turning out to be further and extra of a materialist (a actual reason in the back of each thing). I used to make certain that as overly limiting. Now i understand how beautiful, freeing and in basic terms undeniable cool that is. no longer something takes position without being rooted or on the very absolute least passing by ability of physicality. modern-day physics is uncovering a number of the mechanisms.

Answer 4

Modern physics is entirely mute on the issue. It hasn't the tools to even address the question.

Parapsychology might say that modern physics support spirituality and the paranormal, but so far parapsychology remains a protoscience or a pseudoscience... but I'm willing to withhold judgement of which so long as they stick to honest efforts to employ the scientific method (research, hypothesis, experiment, analysis) in their studies.