How could particular aspects of ESP be scientifically measured?

Question

This was roughly a question that came from an essay on a critical thinking assignment (that is beside the point).

I concluded that there was little to no scientific proof of ESP powers--psychokinesis especially. 

I did however view a video on youtube that showed old grainy clips of a woman who was apparently using the energy of her body to repel a pencil/pen.

I'm skeptical of the footage, because it's a fickle topic and it seemed really biased, as well as a hoax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jgMzcRxxEE).

Quite frankly, I think it's hogwash, but I'd love to hear what you folks think/believe.

John · Accepted Answer

Great question, and it's also great to see that you're applying critical thinking as well.  I'm familiar with the videos you mentioned -- all they depict are amateurish magic tricks.

ESP -- telepathy, remove viewing, etc., -- could be demonstrated to exist beyond doubt by just a few objective tests, assuming that the tests are tightly controlled and statistically valid.  But regarding statistical validity, if ESP were real it would certainly be possible to devise tests where you would hardly need a statistical analysis, it would be that obvious.  At this point, however, we can't even find a single person who can predict Zener cards at a consistent level above 20% (corresponding to the null hypothesis, i.e., no psychic powers).  Just one person who can do this at a sustained 50% level would be groundbreaking. It's never happened.   All we have are tests where the results are pretty much indistinguishable from the null hypothesis.

Prof. Irving Langmuir of Princeton thought about this subject and came up with a list of criteria which help to identify "pathological science", or bad science used to justify an indefensible scientific conclusion. The symptoms of pathological science as described by Prof. Irving Langmuir are:

1.  The maximum effect that is observed is produced by a causative agent of barely detectable intensity, and the magnitude of the effect is substantially independent of the intensity of the cause.
2.  The effect is of a magnitude that remains close to the limit of detectability; or, many measurements are necessary because of the very low statistical significance of the results.
3.  Claims of great accuracy.
4. Fantastic theories contrary to experience.
5. Criticisms are met by ad hoc excuses thought up on the spur of the moment.
6. Ratio of supporters to critics rises up to somewhere near 50% and then falls gradually to oblivion.

You'll find that many of these qualities of pathological science can be found in the claims for demonstration of ESP, telepathy, etc.

How could particular aspects of ESP be scientifically measured?

1 Answer