Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physics World

Strings versus ESP

David Fisher

Published Jul 1, 2000• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Your report about the recent conference at Cambridge on "rational perspectives on the paranormal" (May p5) discusses attempts by parapsychologists to reproduce paranormal phenomena under controlled laboratory conditions. You then say that "positive results are not unusual, but are rarely repeatable". Surely any repeatable experiments in this field would be regarded as a "holy grail" and pursued relentlessly? The results would no longer be rare by this time, and anybody at all – including sceptics – could reproduce them at will.

DOI
10.1088/2058-7058/13/7/22

Related papers

On Paranormal Phenomena.

Johan Noldus

I present a short note on my expectations regarding this subject based upon my thoughts in my previous two books on relativistic quantum theory and a note on the emergence of consensus in science.

•Jan 1, 2017•0 citations

Quantum Physics and ESP(An Epistemic Resolution)

John Nwanegbo-Ben

There is an epistemic relationship between Quantum physics and extra-sensory perception (ESP). The discovery and illumination gotten from the study of particle physics and the understanding of quantum physics brings to light a great resolution of the content of reality within the confines of the seen and unseen or from the mental and extra-mental. This paper posits that the inherent controversy in trying to comprehend the workings of “paranormal” acts such as telepathy and psychokinesis imbued by critics of paranormal phenomena can be resolved by an understanding of quantum physics and the uncertainty principle. The underlying position of this work is that everything in the universe, whether in the realm of the physical or the metaphysical are made up of energy and vibrations manifested in various forms. These forms include our bodies, minds, thoughts and in the elements. And uncertainties are parts and parcels of realities in both quantum mechanics and ESP.

International Journal of Philosophy•Jan 1, 2016•2 citations

Extrasensory Perception and Quantum Models of Cognition

Patrizio Emmanuele Tressoldi, Lance Storm, Dean I. Radin

The possibility that information can be acquired at a distance without the use of the ordinary senses, that is by “extrasensory perception” (ESP), is not easily accommodated by conventional neuroscientific assumptions or by traditional theories underlying our understanding of perception and cognition. The lack of theoretical support has marginalized the study of ESP, but experiments investigating these phenomena have been conducted since the mid-19th century, and the empirical database has been slowly accumulating. Today, using modern experimental methods and meta-analytical techniques, a persuasive case can be made that, neuroscience assumptions notwithstanding, ESP does exist. We justify this conclusion through discussion of one class of homogeneous experiments reported in 108 publications and conducted from 1974 through 2008 by laboratories around the world. Subsets of these data have been subjected to six meta-analyses, and each shows significantly positive effects. The overall results now provide unambiguous evidence for an independently repeatable ESP effect. This indicates that traditional cognitive and neuroscience models, which are largely based on classical physical concepts, are incomplete. We speculate that more comprehensive models will require new principles based on a more comprehensive physics. The current candidate is quantum mechanics.

NeuroQuantology•Dec 13, 2010•16 citations

Bell's Theorem and Psychic Phenomena

Guy Vandegrift

The Philosophical Quarterly•Oct 1, 1995•1 citation

Are our assumptions more anomalous than the phenomena

Paul Stevens

Psi: a neutral term denoting the unknown factors that underlie parapsychological phenomena. \nPsi effects/phenomena: observable outcomes attributed to the action of psi. \nPsi agent: a person thought to play an active role in the production of psi effects. \n \nOne major criticism of parapsychology is that it lacks accepted theoretical models, and that those it does have tend to make use of the more esoteric and speculative areas of physics. Part of the reason for the widespread scepticism and dearth of viable theories is, I think, due to the perceived properties of psi effects rather than properties that are necessarily real. Given our current knowledge, it is difficult if not impossible to model psi effects as the claimed properties rarely appear to be consistent with theory and observation in other areas of science. But are the claims often made for psi phenomena really justified? Here, I look at three of the more common claims made by parapsychologists and critically assess the assumptions that led to them. I will try to show how the different assumptions we make about psi effects can radically alter the physical requirements of any potential mechanisms and suggest alternative perspectives on some parapsychological phenomena.

McFarland eBooks•Nov 18, 2009•0 citations

Quantum theory and parapsychology.

Brian Millar

•Jan 1, 2015•7 citations
Your report about the recent conference at Cambridge on "rational perspectives on the paranormal" (May p5) discusses attempts by parapsychologists to reproduce paranormal phenomena under controlled laboratory conditions. You then say that "positive results are not unusual, but are rarely repeatable". Surely any repeatable experiments in this field would be regarded as a "holy grail" and pursued relentlessly? The results would no longer be rare by this time, and anybody at all – including sceptics – could reproduce them at will.
There is an epistemic relationship between Quantum physics and extra-sensory perception (ESP). The discovery and illumination gotten from the study of particle physics and the understanding of quantum physics brings to light a great resolution of the content of reality within the confines of the seen and unseen or from the mental and extra-mental. This paper posits that the inherent controversy in trying to comprehend the workings of “paranormal” acts such as telepathy and psychokinesis imbued by critics of paranormal phenomena can be resolved by an understanding of quantum physics and the uncertainty principle. The underlying position of this work is that everything in the universe, whether in the realm of the physical or the metaphysical are made up of energy and vibrations manifested in various forms. These forms include our bodies, minds, thoughts and in the elements. And uncertainties are parts and parcels of realities in both quantum mechanics and ESP.
The possibility that information can be acquired at a distance without the use of the ordinary senses, that is by “extrasensory perception” (ESP), is not easily accommodated by conventional neuroscientific assumptions or by traditional theories underlying our understanding of perception and cognition. The lack of theoretical support has marginalized the study of ESP, but experiments investigating these phenomena have been conducted since the mid-19th century, and the empirical database has been slowly accumulating. Today, using modern experimental methods and meta-analytical techniques, a persuasive case can be made that, neuroscience assumptions notwithstanding, ESP does exist. We justify this conclusion through discussion of one class of homogeneous experiments reported in 108 publications and conducted from 1974 through 2008 by laboratories around the world. Subsets of these data have been subjected to six meta-analyses, and each shows significantly positive effects. The overall results now provide unambiguous evidence for an independently repeatable ESP effect. This indicates that traditional cognitive and neuroscience models, which are largely based on classical physical concepts, are incomplete. We speculate that more comprehensive models will require new principles based on a more comprehensive physics. The current candidate is quantum mechanics.
Psi: a neutral term denoting the unknown factors that underlie parapsychological phenomena. \nPsi effects/phenomena: observable outcomes attributed to the action of psi. \nPsi agent: a person thought to play an active role in the production of psi effects. \n \nOne major criticism of parapsychology is that it lacks accepted theoretical models, and that those it does have tend to make use of the more esoteric and speculative areas of physics. Part of the reason for the widespread scepticism and dearth of viable theories is, I think, due to the perceived properties of psi effects rather than properties that are necessarily real. Given our current knowledge, it is difficult if not impossible to model psi effects as the claimed properties rarely appear to be consistent with theory and observation in other areas of science. But are the claims often made for psi phenomena really justified? Here, I look at three of the more common claims made by parapsychologists and critically assess the assumptions that led to them. I will try to show how the different assumptions we make about psi effects can radically alter the physical requirements of any potential mechanisms and suggest alternative perspectives on some parapsychological phenomena.