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

Description

Are ghosts real? Can the living communicate with the dead? Does prayer work? Are astrology and psychic readings accurate? In this groundbreaking book, a leading expert in the field makes sense of these mysteries and many more. Geared for paranormal believers and skeptics alike, 'Pseudoscience and Extraordinary Claims of the Paranormal: A Critical Thinker's Toolkit' provides readers with a highly original, engaging, and clear-headed approach for analyzing paranormal claims and distinguishing science from pseudoscience. Committed above all to embracing fact over fiction, Smith encourages readers to question “fearlessly and honestly.” The result may just be a greater appreciation of the awe and wonder that true science brings to our world. Jonathan C. Smith, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology at Roosevelt University, Founding Director of the Roosevelt University Stress Institute, and Head of the Pseudoscience and Paranormal Laboratory. Dr. Smith has published 17 books and has written numerous articles on stress, relaxation, meditation, and mindfulness, as well as spirituality and skepticism. In 1984 he founded the Roosevelt University Stress Institute primarily to combat pseudoscience in the field. He has created classroom and online classes specifically designed to teach critical thinking skills and evaluate extraordinary claims of the paranormal. Pseudoscience and Extraordinary Claims of the Paranormal Contents About the Author Preface Acknowledgments PART I Introduction 1 The Continuum Mysteriosum Making Sense out of Mysteries: The Continuum Mysteriosum Extraordinary, Nonparanormal Mysteries An Invitation 2 Why Study These Things? The Dangers of Unexamined Paranormal Claims The Risk of Paranormal! Passion and the Critical Thinker’s Toolkit Eight Reality Checks: The Critical Thinker’s Toolkit PART II THE CRITICAL THINKER’S TOOLKIT Evaluate Support For A Claim 3 Reality Check: Are the Sources Credible? Astrology. Questionable Sources The Question of Authority When Experts Get It Wrong An Invitation to Question 4 Reality Check: Is the Logic Valid and Sound? Basic Logic Informal Logical Fallacies Premises, Logic, and Hypothesis Testing 5 Reality Check: Are Claims Based on Observation (Scientific Tests and Theories)? Observations Tests Theories Sagan’s Balance and the FEDS Standard Science and Alternative Hypotheses CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS 6 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 7 Reality Checking for Perceptual Error and Trickery Top-Down Processes and Perception Manipulations of Magicians and Psychics: The Cold Reading Toolkit Hypnotic Suggestion Enhancers Perceptual Bias in the Mental Health Professions 8 Reality Checking for Memory Errors Memory Myths What Is Memory? Memory Errors Déja vu The Déja vu Reality Check 9 Reality Checking for the Placebo Effect What are Placebos? Weak and Strong Placebos How Placebos Work Placebos and Superstitious Beliefs Placebo Controversies Placebos and Performance 10 Reality Checking for Sensory Anomalies and Hallucinations Sensory Phenomena Migraines Tunnel Experiences Hallucinations Hallucinations and the Critical Thinker’s Toolkit Dissociation and the Paranormal PART III THE PARANORMAL FILES 11 Spiritualism and the Survival Hypothesis Spiritualism Research on Life after Death Research on Channeling and Mediums Conclusion 12 Parapsychology The Language of Parapsychology Research on Psi Conclusion: The State of Psi Research 13 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 14 Supernatural Cures and Faith Healing The Varieties of Healing Experience The Evidence Conclusion 15 Creationism, Intelligent Design, and God The Great Debate Things Great and Small 16 The Reality Checkup: Using Your Toolkit The Reality Checkup How to Carry on a Civilized Discussion about the Paranormal Parting Words: Pandora’s Challenge Appendix A Complementary and Alternative Medicine Appendix B Critical Thinking and Paranormal Resources Appendix C Susan Blackmore on Paranormal Research Notes References Name Index Subject Index