Is ghost hunting a real science or just a fun hobby?

Question

Many ghost hunters I know and from reading certian books they claim to be scientists using scientific methods to prove ghost exist.

Answer 1

Some excellent answers already, so I'll only chime in to say that I have yet to see good science applied by a ghost hunter where the conclusions from that scientific study are supportive of the existence of ghosts.

However, I am glad to see at least one ghost hunter participating here on Yahoo Answers that seems to have a much better than average grasp of scientific, rational analysis (not going to name names so the other more credulous ghost hunters don't make fun of him!). But still this doesn't make ghost hunting a real science any more than leprechaun hunting is a real science.

Answer 2

This is a good question. I've answered many almost identical questions to this one before, so I'll only give a brief recap here.

Ghost Hunting (GH) is in no way a true "science". There are some scientists who engage in this activity, but it is (as you suggest) a sort of hobby - an none of these claim that ghost hunting is genuinely a science. Science requires the use of the scientific method, which demands that any data collected be reproducible. This is one area where GH fails the test--one cannot reproduce "ghost data".

Further, there are no scientific thoeries that make testable predictions wrt ghosts. Period. GH is what we refer to as a "pseudo-science" -- that is, something that is NOT science, but is presented as if it were. Sadly, there is no law to forbid this, so it up to you to know the difference. One thing to look for with pseudo-science is if it's being used to stir up public interest that can lead to income for the presenters; or if it's being presented as enteratinment--like "TAPS".

Really, be careful with this. One can legally call anything "science", no matter how un-scientific, or totally lame it is. Be sure you have solid definitions of: Science, Theory, Hypothesis, and the Scientific Method. Knowing these well will help you not to be fooled.

Answer 3

For the majority of ghost hunters it is a hobby and they pay out of thier own pockets. An elite few make money writing books, or producing reality tv shows.
As far as a science, it isn't. Because conditions are not repeatable, and circumstances are completely unpredictable, the scientific method doesnt work well when applied to ghost hunting.

Answer 4

Your question makes the false assumption that real science can not be practiced when it is engaged in as a fun hobby.

There are many science clubs (geography, astronomy, etc.) that have fun activities while following established rules of science. Ghosts investigations can do the same.
Some of these club members have science degrees and some work as scientist.

Certainly reading a book doesn't make you a scientist ( a degree does that) but one can follow scientific methods presented in books. The beauty of science is that is it at the core a method of investigation that is open to almost everyone.

Michael John Weaver, M.S.

Answer 5

It's a hobby. If they use truly scientific methods then they aren't even ghost hunting at all--they're just observing an empty space.

The biggest error I see with so-called ghost hunters is that they appear to be on a mission to validate the claim that a place is haunted. That is not being objective and is therefore unscientific.

The other major problem I see with ghost hunters is they appear to be just hunting for anomalies. Anything they can't immediately explain is automatically a ghost. This is about as unscientific as you can get.

Answer 6

I've seen some crazy s*** to convince me that ghosts are real. Where is your proof to say they aren't? What does this have to do with politics? Cool, I didn't know you could explain everything. You must be a genius. You should be on TV to disprove all the unexplained phenomena. So, there is nothing in these pictures?

Answer 7

ghost hunting is the mystic / paranormal world ,it is old theory that came before the modern world by the whitch for example.
science is only want to prove it using up to date technology and calculate example the theory of electricity or other method. so each of them is not a fun....

Answer 8

It's not a real Science.There is absolutely no evidence of any ghostly activities.Is it a fun hobby?Sure, I guess for kid's who want to scare each other.It's a lot of fun.Adults like you see on TV.Running around pretending to hear and see things.That's not fun, it's a con-game.Harmless maybe,but a con-game.Spreading superstition doesn't help anyone.In fact it holds many of us back.

Answer 9

Hey, look. If ghosts, monsters, ghouls and mythical beings were fake.. why do they keep appearing in stories and experiences.. they real. Just don't like to be shown.

Answer 10

It's all just wacky fun.

You can use science, and I don't see why you shouldn't. But until something is reproducible you have speculation at best.