The End of Materialism: How Evidence of the Paranormal Is Bringing Science and Spirit Together
A faculty member at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, scientist Tate (Altered States of Consciousness, On Being Stoned) spent more than 50 years studying the paranormal. In this challenge to traditional science and spirituality, Tart employs scientific skepticism and an open mind (both essential to interpreting results "as objectively as possible") to question the seeming contradiction between "the formal, rational rules of science, which have worked so well in understanding the physical world" and "behaviors that cannot be reduced to materialistic explanations." To substantiate his thesis, Tart analyzes a number of scientific paranormal experiments: distinguishing the color of face-down cards, testing the hypothesis that feedback training improves telepathic ability, attempts to show a relationship between electromagnetism and clairvoyance, etc. Elsewhere, Tate makes intriguing comparisons between out-of-the-body experiences and near-death experiences, both of which support (but don't prove) the phenomenon of "postmortem survival" (children who "remember" past lives are also examined). While admitting that he has no "final, absolutely certain, and wonderful answers," Tart covers a wide range of phenomena (remote viewing, psychic healing, mediumship) and leaves readers much to ponder.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.