Most people look down on supernatural studies or even psychics. Why is the supernatural not considered a professional study?
2007-09-19 05:31:16 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Belief in the supernatural is a valid field of study. We've learned quite a bit about why people believe in supernatural things. It mostly has to do with consistent flaws in our belief-formation processes, notably confirmation bias and inability to reason with probabilistic data.
Now, if you said "I want to be a Professor of Psychics at the university", and you meant "I'm psychic, and want to study my psychic powers", of course we're going to look down on that and not consider it a professional study. That's like wanting to be a Professor of Superman. The object of study does not exist.
The notion that we just need to develop more sensitive ways to detect psychic phenomena is simply nonsense. The people who believe in those phenomena claim to be able to detect them without sensitive instruments - they claim that the effects are large and obvious enough that they can be detected in day-to-day life with no controls, statistical analysis, or instruments. Yet when we try to detect those phenomena, in a controlled situation, we get nothing. At the very best, the believers claim that they have lab results detecting tiny influences on random events. Even if those results are real, they're obviously not the same phenomena that the psychics claim to work with.
2007-09-19 05:48:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People study supernatural things to find the truth. It is probably not considered a professional study because of the frauds of the past, and present.
2007-09-19 06:02:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As soon as it is lent credence, it will require licensing. In some cases it already does. Take energy work, for example; some states require or are considering the requirement of such practitioners to be licensed under massage licensing boards.
The study of the supernatural or paranormal is becoming more accepted, but its nature makes some things difficult to repeat in a rigorous scientific manner. As such, it may take a while to gain acceptance.
2007-09-19 05:39:15 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People fear what they do not understand, so some people study the supernatural in an attempt to be able to explain everything to take away their own anxiety. It's a control thing.
2007-09-19 05:38:38 · answer #4 · answered by Bob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just look at the subject matter - its not even real, so how can it provide any scientific information through "study"?
If you ask me, studying the supernatural is for people who do not possess the intelligence to study reality.
2007-09-19 05:37:00 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it is. It is considered Parapsychology, and degrees used to be offered offered in this field at major colleges. A very few still do.
We study science, history, psychology, sociology, mathematics, parapsychology to better understand the world around us.
Azimov once said the supernatural and magic to one group is only undiscovered science. (or something to that effect)
EDIT- HILARIOUS! I get a thumbs down for actually following the YA! T.O.S. by giving facts with citations. Too funny!
2007-09-19 05:48:18 · answer #6 · answered by Cheese Fairy - Mummified 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, it is... there are classes you can take at most Universities that are about the "supernatural". Parapsychology. Most who aren't interested it usually call it a Pseudo-science, but then, they aren't interested in it and most don't even look into it... they just write it off completely because of personal beliefs (or lack of).
2007-09-19 06:00:35 · answer #7 · answered by River 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people today are seeking out the meaning of life and to find a reason to be here.This always happens when humanity becomes ready for the next stage in its evolution.We are at this time moving into a new age in which mankind finds its purpose and begins to tread the path of initiation onward into the next kingdom above the human and to be truly alive and at peace with all of the cosmos and with oneself.
2007-09-19 05:52:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are looking for power they dont have. They want to feel in control of something greater than them. The supernatural is very powerful
2007-09-19 05:37:37 · answer #9 · answered by christian_me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Slowly these studies have gained credability as the process of study becomes more and more perfected. People only study things they are really interested in. If they aren't interested for whatever reason, then they won't study it, and even likely pooh-pooh such studies. But then again that happens with most things that are in process of discovery. Always will there be imperfection in the incomplete.
2007-09-19 05:37:17 · answer #10 · answered by Holly Carmichael 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋