Extrasensory perception (ESP) is considered to a paranormal (beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding), and is the purported ability to perceive events in ways that cannot be explained by known sensory capacities. Parapsychology is the study of ESP and other psi phenomena (events that seem to defy accepted scientific laws). Psi phenomena are events that seem to life outside the realm of accepted scientific laws. Parapsychologist seek an answer to the questions raised by three basic forms that ESP could take. #RyanPhillippe 1 of 12

These forms ESP could take are: Clairvoyance, which is the purported ability to perceive events or gain information in ways that appear unaffected by distance or normal physical barriers. Telepathy—the extrasensory perception of another person’s thoughts, or more simply, the purported ability to read someone else’s mind. Precognition is another and defined as the purported ability to perceive or accurately predict future events. Precognition may take the form of prophetic dreams that foretell the future. #RyanPhillippe 2 of 12

While we are at it, we might as well toss in another purported psi ability: Psychokinesis, which is the purported ability to exert influence over inanimate objects by willpower (mind over matter). (Psychokinesis cannot be classed as a type of perception, extrasensory or otherwise, but it is frequently studied by parapsychologist.) #RyanPhillippe 3 of 12

Modern parapsychologists are now well aware of the requirement for double-blind experiments, maximum security and accuracy in record keeping, meticulous control, and repeatability of experiments. In the last ten years, hundreds of experiments have been reported in parapsychological journals, many of them supporting the existence of psi abilities. Nevertheless, psychologists, as a group, remain skeptical about psi abilities. Why does the scientific community continue to doubt many of these experiments? #RyanPhillippe 4 of 12

Parapsychology hinges on the grounds of witchcraft, it is not an ability human are supposed to possess. Micah 3.7 reports, “Seers will be put to shame. Those who practice witchcraft will be disgraces. All of them will cover their faces, because God will not answer them.” You might be thinking, if God loves all, why would he punish witches. On Charmed, starting Alyssa Milano, witches were depicted as being good beings. However, they are not allowed to use their powers for personal gain, or they would lose them. #RyanPhillippe 5 of 12

Alyssa Milano’s character on Charmed was called Phoebe Halliwell. She had the active powers of premonition, levitation, empathy, psychic reflection, and high resistance. She also had mediumship and could perceive the presence of ghost and spirits. She also had the ability to scry, which would show the location of any living magical or possessed being or object, and she could cast spells and make potions. However, when she would force premonitions, even if it was to save a life, she would lose her powers. #RyanPhillippe 6 of 12

In reality, skeptics, serious researchers, and many religious leaders in ESP all agree on one point. If psychic phenomena do occur, they cannot be controlled well enough to be used by entertainers and fraud would be another problem that would plague the field of parapsychology. Walter J. Levy, who was former director of J.B. Rhine’s laboratory, was caught faking records. So have some others who got positive results of ESP. Even honest scientists have been fooled by various frauds and cheats, so there is reason to remain skeptical and on guard. #RyanPhillippe 7 of 12

The greatest danger may lie in errors by sincere, but self-deceiving, investigators. It is remarkable, for instance, that many parapsychologists chose to ignore a famous “psychic’s” habit of peeking at ESP cards during a test. However, the potential for fraud does not stop there. Many worry that people could pretend to “predict” events and stage them to happen. For example, many people will go to the club and cheat on their spouse, in the event that there is credible evidence of their spouse is actively cheating. #RyanPhillippe 8 of 12

So someone might use photo altering software to make it look like Ryan is cheating, then show the photos to his spouse, provoking the spouse to go to the club, bring someone back home and cheat. Chances are the person will stay the night, and when Ryan gets back from vacation early to catch his spouse in the act of cheating, it will seem that the “predication” was true, but it was staged. This event actually happened, but when Ryan checked, his spouse was alone, had just woke up to answer the door, and there is only one way out, so he would have seen someone leaving. #RyanPhillippe 9 of 12

Another problem with ESP is that you could have a real psychic on your hands, and people may try to manipulate this person. Also, you have to realize, even with someone who has ESP some events may happen others may not. The person may not even be aware of their abilities. Parapsychological skills are very fragile and unpredictable, and many of the most spectacular findings in parapsychology simply cannot be replicated (reproduced or repeated), or they could be so far in the future that there is still a likelihood of it happening. #RyanPhillippe 10 of 12

Some people really do receive impressions of future events, but it can take years of close scrutiny before the flaws in a particular parapsychology experiment comes to light. Therefore, parapsychological experiments are deemed inconclusive, unless they are replicated by other scientists. The scientist has to also recognize that his own mental processes may influence the phenomenon he is observing. If he is a total skeptic, the scientist may well turn off the psychic subject. Or the subject may choose to, for unknown reasons, to suppress their abilities, and may or may not be aware of it. #RyanPhillippe 11 of 12

It is impossible to say conclusively whether psi events occur. As we have seen, a close look at psi experiments often reveals serious problems with the way the analysis gathers information, their procedures, and scientific rigor. However, being a skeptic does not mean someone is against something. It means that you are unconvinced. The purpose of this discussion, then, has been to counter uncritical acceptance of psi. It would take scientifically demonstrated and consistent evidence to truly prove the existence of ESP. We would require a set of instructions that would allow any competent, unbiased observer to produce a psi event under standardized conditions. So god luck with your research, but maybe there is a reason God does not allow these gifts to be completely understood? We have enough problems separating reality and fantasy as it is, this could lead to confusion and disorientation and danger. #RyanPhillippe 12 of 12