Paranormal is an event that occurs when human beings develop perceptions that are beyond scientific explanation. It is an element experienced beyond conventional principles of science (Smith 9). Hence, these perceptions cannot be explained using ordinary scientific concepts. Examples of such phenomena include telepathy, clairvoyance, reincarnation, psychometric, prophecy, levitation, precognition and telekinesis (Smith 20).
Indisputably, psychologists assert that it is impossible to study phenomena that are related to paranormals. According to Bryan and Sherme (7), the study of paranormal phenomena falls beyond mainstreams of science. According to researchers, paranormal phenomena are beyond scientific knowledge. In some instances, science has failed to prove and evaluate the legitimacy of some phenomena in laboratories thereby making it impossible to study them.
Additionally, it is evident that paranormal phenomena are not constant and they vary in degrees from one individual to another. Furthermore, the inability to recreate evidence in a controlled environment or setting makes science to fail in justifying whether such phenomena exist or not (Smith 23). It is beyond doubt that though science can explain human anatomy, it is difficult to explain inner feelings especially in peoples mind unless they tell it out themselves.
Human thoughts, feeling and altitudes are unique and vary with time making it difficult to predict them (Bryan & Shermer 67). In this case, science is only able to deal and study aspects that are predictable, unambiguous and have an absolute principle like in chemistry, biology and physics.
From a researcher perspective, it is intricate to approach, study and explain paranormal phenomena by use of existing rules or theories (Smith 29). The fact that these phenomena exist beyond conventional norms denies science the merit to prove and explain them. Science claims that all phenomena that exist must be natural and hence they have to demonstrate their existence. However, it gets tricky if scientists have to deny existence of supernatural events (Smith 33).
Quite often, people have claimed to experience and see strange occurrences like ghosts, dreams, magic and monsters. There has been growing controversy since these elements cannot be recreated in the laboratory yet they exist. Smith (34) confirms that, science deals with observable facts that can be tested and evaluated. Contrastingly, some paranormal phenomena can be observed yet they are attestable and cannot be evaluated (Smith 2009).
For this reason, scientists may not give a skeptical analysis of paranormal events. This has made scientists to decline that such phenomena exist. In fact, they argue that human beings have the ability to create endless claims and beliefs to serve their emotional and psychological necessities without clear justification (Bryan & Shermer 47). It is evident that many people derive some beliefs and imaginations from the media.
Emphatically, science can study existing beliefs on paranormal events and their impacts on human life though it is impossible to verify their existence (Bryan & Shermer 107). Moreover, scientific facts are prone to change once new information is received regarding upcoming phenomena. Additionally, relying on popular hypothesis does not guarantee real scientific findings. Hence, extreme and speculative assumptions have existed alongside paranormal phenomena.
Scientists have employed new avenues and strategies to radically explore paranormal phenomena. However, this will not grant their work any real scientific explanation if they use other radical evidences to support their claims. It is also imperative to note that scientists will continue to seek new evidences to eliminate the current incongruity only when clear substantiation is attained.
Works Cited
Bryan, Farha & Shermer, Micheal. Paranormal claims: a critical analysis. Lanham: University of America, Inc. 2007. Print.
Smith, Jonathan. Pseudoscience and Extraordinary Claims of the Paranormal: A Critical Thinker’s toolkit. Malden: John Wiley &Sons, Inc. 2009