Why Extraordinary Claims Demand Extraordinary Proof

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http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/extraproof.html

Skeptics are typically unwilling to accept paranormal claims -- such as claims of psychic powers, human energy fields involving energies unknown to science, detection methods involving unknown forces (like dowsing), and predicting the future with cards or dreams -- unless the evidence in support of those claims is of very high quality. "Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof," we say. Paranormal proponents might question the appropriateness of this logic. They observe skeptics accepting some claims, such as those made by orthodox medical research, on the basis of average, reasonably good evidence, while demanding flawless, near-perfect research before paranormal claims would be accepted. Intuitively, it seems as though evidence which is "good enough" for one claim should be acceptable for other claims as well. This article discusses the issue and provides a statistical basis for skeptics' favorite line, while also pointing out its limitations.

Full text of the article

-- Buddy (buddydc@go.com), May 04, 2001

Answers

Buddy, skepticism is a wonderful thing, and I'm glad you've provided these links. For a cool science project, get a couple of wire hangers and straighten them. Bend one end of each wire to a 90-degree angle about four or fives inches from the end. Take the wires outside to a place where you know metal water pipes are located under the ground. Hold one wire in each hand by grasping the shorter bent ends. Don't squeeze your hand into fists, just hold the wires parallel to the ground and about a foot apart. Walk back and forth across the area where you know the water pipes are buried. See what happens. When you're sure you get the same reaction every time you walk across the area of the pipes, try somewhere else where you aren't so sure about the location of the pipes. It's cool and even little kids can do it.

-- helen (not_kidding@all.buddy), May 04, 2001.

Buddy, skepticism is a wonderful thing,

Correction: a healthy skepticism is a wonderful thing but B-b-b-buddy's exhibiting a fanatical one-way obsession with the subject that's totally banal at this point.

Lighten up, dude, and try a search on "right brain" activities for a refreshing change.

BTW - "Banal" is right before "banana" in the dictionary which just goes to show 'ya how close to the edge B-b-b-b-uddy has come. Two false steps and it's "coytons" for your brain (expressed ala Jimmy Cagney.)

-- 1 (2@3.com), May 04, 2001.


more & more, folks are seeking the [spiritual] sub-concious. the so-called=6th-sense.the ''hidden-mysteries'' gnosticism-para-normal-latent=powers. Tapping into the phsycic-seeking=spiritual guides. and guess what??

-- al-d (dogs@zianet.com), May 05, 2001.

Nah, just my way of stepping away from the argument.

-- Buddy (buddydc@go.com), May 06, 2001.

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