Abstract

Argues that although there has been over a century of formal empirical inquiry, parapsychologists have failed to produce a single reliable demonstration of paranormal, or psi, phenomena. Although many parapsychological research projects have been conducted under what have been described as well-controlled conditions, this does not by itself make a science, for until it can be demonstrated that paranormal phenomena really exist, there is no subject matter around that a science can develop. Indeed, parapsychologists have not even succeeded in developing a reasonable definition of paranormal phenomena that does not involve, or imply, some aspect of mind-body dualism. It is concluded that parapsychological inquiry reflects the attempt to establish the reality of a nonmaterial aspect of human existence rather than a search for explanations for anomalous phenomena. Comments on the present article follow in the same issue of this journal.