Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Aethari · 09-04-2002, 07:16 PM

I was really psyched about philosophy class, and was hoping that the prof would have similar views to my own. Well, first day of class, and he's a nice, funny guy. He doesn't talk about his beliefs though, so I go searching for his name on Google. A list of his works came up, and apparantly he's really into parapsychology and stuff of that sort. All his works seemed published in journals like "The Journal of the American Parapsychology Association" Does anyone know anything about this kind of stuff, telekinesis and 'Super Psi'? Just wondering, since none of his essays/books contained more than titles...no full texts or abstracts :/ I still think it will be a fun class, but I imagine it will turn a bit weird when we get to knowledge theory and the such. (His books were about telekinesis, telepathy, and life after death). WheeEEeeEEeeeEEe...!

-Aethari (who is on his third SN after losing two others...I *used* to be a regular

)

Maverick · 09-04-2002, 07:24 PM

I bet our friends over in the Science and Skepticism forum would have the knowledge to help you out. I'll send this post over there.

Maverick - SL&S Moderator

The Lone Ranger · 09-04-2002, 07:34 PM

If he genuinely believes that "paranormal" phenomena/abilities exist, he only has to prove it to become an instant millionaire.

I'm not holding my breath, though. Many have tried, all have failed.

Cheers,

Michael

elwoodblues · 09-04-2002, 08:07 PM

It's trash.

If it's any consolation, his beliefs in that area probably won't interfere too much with his teaching a course on philosophy. Just watch out for anything squirrely he might say about how we acquire knowledge in the world, sensory perception, that sort of thing.

Most of the course will probably be historical studies, and what interpretation you do will be pretty wide open.

The best thing you can do is talk to him about it, if you're concerned his beliefs might influence the way he teaches the class. I wouldn't call him out in the middle of class. It'd be a good way to introduce yourself and get to know him. Don't try to corner him or press him, just get a handle on how much he believes this stuff, and whether he let's that unduly influence the way he teaches the course. No biggie.

beausoleil · 09-04-2002, 08:14 PM

I recommend getting hold of one or two of his papers before you assume he believes in these things because he researches them. He may be putting forward psychological explanations, for instance.

I've never read the journal, so can't comment on its content.

Secular Pinoy · 09-05-2002, 02:52 AM

Watch out when he starts discussing the inadequacy of evidentialism, and promoting his fellow parapsychologist William James' The Will to Believe essay. He might also have weird positions in Metaphysics, Epistemology and Analytic and Linguistic Philosophy.

Tom Sawyer · 09-05-2002, 06:43 AM

Check out what he's saying on it. There's nothing wrong with studying parapsychology, or any other crazy field, as long as you do honest experiments that try and deliver valid results.

I personally think that all the results will show that parapsychological phenomenon don't exist and I'd never waste my own time looking at them, but that doesn't mean it's not a valid field of inquiry.

Aethari · 09-05-2002, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the responses

Yea, I know he does believe in those kinds of things...I checked out the Amazon.com reviews/summaries of his books. One of them was about 'non-experimental' evidence for telekinesis, I believe. I'm not that concerned his beliefs will influence the class, but we'll see. I just imagine that there will be some weird parts...although perhaps he'll spare us introduction to philosophy students from it =p

-Aethari

btw, his name is 'Braude', if anyone wants to check out his stuff

elwoodblues · 09-05-2002, 11:40 AM

Quote:

One of them was about 'non-experimental' evidence for telekinesis

Oh, that'll keep me laughing all day long...

Clutch · 09-05-2002, 02:50 PM

Quote:

I'm not that concerned his beliefs will influence the class, but we'll see.

It's hard to see how a complete inability to recognize and understand evidential relations could fail to influence one's ability to teach philosophy.

09-04-2002, 07:16 PM	#1
Aethari Veteran Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 1,635	Weird Philosophy Class ;p I was really psyched about philosophy class, and was hoping that the prof would have similar views to my own. Well, first day of class, and he's a nice, funny guy. He doesn't talk about his beliefs though, so I go searching for his name on Google. A list of his works came up, and apparantly he's really into parapsychology and stuff of that sort. All his works seemed published in journals like "The Journal of the American Parapsychology Association" Does anyone know anything about this kind of stuff, telekinesis and 'Super Psi'? Just wondering, since none of his essays/books contained more than titles...no full texts or abstracts :/ I still think it will be a fun class, but I imagine it will turn a bit weird when we get to knowledge theory and the such. (His books were about telekinesis, telepathy, and life after death). WheeEEeeEEeeeEEe...! -Aethari (who is on his third SN after losing two others...I used to be a regular )

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09-04-2002, 07:24 PM	#2
Maverick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 6,367	I bet our friends over in the Science and Skepticism forum would have the knowledge to help you out. I'll send this post over there. Maverick - SL&S Moderator

09-04-2002, 07:34 PM	#3
The Lone Ranger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Eastern U.S. Posts: 1,230	If he genuinely believes that "paranormal" phenomena/abilities exist, he only has to prove it to become an instant millionaire. I'm not holding my breath, though. Many have tried, all have failed. Cheers, Michael

09-04-2002, 08:07 PM	#4
elwoodblues Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Dunmanifestin, Discworld Posts: 4,836	It's trash. If it's any consolation, his beliefs in that area probably won't interfere too much with his teaching a course on philosophy. Just watch out for anything squirrely he might say about how we acquire knowledge in the world, sensory perception, that sort of thing. Most of the course will probably be historical studies, and what interpretation you do will be pretty wide open. The best thing you can do is talk to him about it, if you're concerned his beliefs might influence the way he teaches the class. I wouldn't call him out in the middle of class. It'd be a good way to introduce yourself and get to know him. Don't try to corner him or press him, just get a handle on how much he believes this stuff, and whether he let's that unduly influence the way he teaches the course. No biggie.

09-04-2002, 08:14 PM	#5
beausoleil Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: US and UK Posts: 846	I recommend getting hold of one or two of his papers before you assume he believes in these things because he researches them. He may be putting forward psychological explanations, for instance. I've never read the journal, so can't comment on its content.

09-05-2002, 02:52 AM	#6
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	Watch out when he starts discussing the inadequacy of evidentialism, and promoting his fellow parapsychologist William James' The Will to Believe essay. He might also have weird positions in Metaphysics, Epistemology and Analytic and Linguistic Philosophy.

09-05-2002, 06:43 AM	#7
Tom Sawyer Talk Freethought Staff Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Toronto, eh Posts: 42,293	Check out what he's saying on it. There's nothing wrong with studying parapsychology, or any other crazy field, as long as you do honest experiments that try and deliver valid results. I personally think that all the results will show that parapsychological phenomenon don't exist and I'd never waste my own time looking at them, but that doesn't mean it's not a valid field of inquiry.

09-05-2002, 08:37 AM	#8
Aethari Veteran Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 1,635	Thanks for the responses Yea, I know he does believe in those kinds of things...I checked out the Amazon.com reviews/summaries of his books. One of them was about 'non-experimental' evidence for telekinesis, I believe. I'm not that concerned his beliefs will influence the class, but we'll see. I just imagine that there will be some weird parts...although perhaps he'll spare us introduction to philosophy students from it =p -Aethari btw, his name is 'Braude', if anyone wants to check out his stuff

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