Abstract

Argues that many skeptics of parapsychology adopt an uncritical attitude toward conventional explanations for ostensible psychic events (OPEs). A nonpejorative label for this group of critics would be the term conventional theorists, which does not assume an unbiased attitude. Examples from the literature of the uncritical bias of this group of critics and why their approach cannot resolve the psi controversy are discussed. A new direction is called for toward criticizing all the current explanations of OPEs, recognizing that none are satisfactory, and maintaining faith in the ability of the scientific method to eventually provide the correct ones. This would require research from both paranormal and conventional perspectives. It is proposed that this approach be called progressive skepticism.