Abstract

Points out that the term "paranormal" and its synonyms are often used freely as if their meanings were perfectly clear; yet usage is vague and sometimes inconsistent. The more closely the definition of the term is examined, the more problematic it appears. This article exposes the inadequacy of some commonly canvassed definitions and suggests a definition that does justice to common usage. Three hypotheses about paranormal events are successively examined: that they are unexplained but not scientifically inexplicable: that they are scientifically inexplicable, but not totally inexplicable; and that they are in priniciple totally inexplicable. These hypotheses seem to exhaust all the possibilities; yet serious difficulties beset the attempt to incorporate any of them into a definition. The definition offered in the conclusion emphasizes the psychological character of paranormal phenomena and uses the concepts of personal identity and cosmology. (22 ref)