Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200450001-8 NEED FOR A THEORY OF PSI Although many theoretical models of psi have been proposed, 32 both groups agree that a fundamental problem in psi is the lack of an adequate theory of paranormality to test by experiment. It leaves parapsychologists in the unscientific position, their critics contend, of trying to demonstrate a phenomenon that they have no real basis for seeking. Conversely (or perversely, in the view of parapsychologists), they are also criticized for premature theorizing without having first demonstrated that a phenomenon exists. It is here, the participants agreed, that more process-oriented research is needed to better define the nature of the phenomenon -- when it is manifested, under what conditions, in individuals of what characteristics, etc.. With a positive theory of psi in hand, parapsychologists would escape the present demand that they eliminate every other plausible explanation for their results until only the residuum, psi, remains. VY. RELATION OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY TO THE BROADER WORLD OF SCIENCE IS PARAPSYCHOLOGY A SCIENCE? Disagreements about the meaning of experimental results in parapsychology and its aims, and the general agreement that a theory of psi is sorely needed, all converge on the basic question of whether or not parapsychology can be considered a science. The discussion in the previous section is neatly encapsulated in a single sentence from a recent critical article: "Although many parapsychological research projects have been carried out under what have been described as well-controlled conditions, this does not by itself make a science, for unless and until it can be demonstrated that paranormal phenomena really exist, there is no subject matter around which a science can develop." As was noted earlier, parapsychologists consider this view a form of Catch- 22, since conditions, they believe, are preset so that no such demonstration will be acknowledged. But the underlying implication of the assertion -- that science cannot study nothing -- also draws objections from parapsychologists. In their view, one of the purposes of science is to investigate whether there is nothing (or something) present in an empirical situation. Whether the motivation for the investigation comes from prior observation or subjective expectation is irrelevant, they maintain. They cite sociology, economics, and even astronomy as analogous fields in which "experimentation" consists essentially of observation and measurement guided by an imperfect or non- existent theory. While it may be argued that each of these fields, unlike parapsychology, has real and obvious subject matter, parapsychologists cite human experience and the voluminous anecdotal record of paranormal occurrences. They point out that gravity, like psi phenomena, has long been observed without benefit of an accepted scientific explanation. 32 See, for example: Jahn, R.G. & B.J. Dunne. On the quantum mechanics of consciousness with application to anomalous phenomena. Foundations of Physics, August 1986, 16: 721-772 and the bibliographies of works listed as Notes #1 and #2 above. 33 Alcock, J.E., op. cit., p. 553. Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200450001-8