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The capricious, actively evasive, unsustainable nature of psi: a summary and hypotheses

Journal of Parapsychology, The, Spring, 2003 by J.E. Kennedy

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The ideas discussed in this section focus on the attitudes and knowledge of those directly involved in a study, whereas the ideas discussed in the previous section focus on the attitudes and knowledge of those outside the experimental setting. In principle, these differences can be tested by controlling the dissemination of information about experimental outcomes. For example, cases when multiple studies are initially reported publicly at one time can be compared with cases when sequential studies are reported individually.

Higher Consciousness

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The most obvious, empirically grounded model for the unsustainable nature of psi is that the primary function of psi is to induce and maintain a sense of mystery and wonder. To fulfill this purpose, psi effects must remain mysterious and unsustainable. William James's (1909/1960) comment that psi appears to be intended to be baffling would be precisely correct. Psi effects may inspire and maintain the interconnected, spiritual dimension of humanity by inducing a sense of mystery and wonder. In addition, some psi effects seem consistent with intervention or guidance by a higher consciousness (Kennedy, 2000).

This hypothesis is similar to, but may qualify, the idea that psi effects are a process of personal transformation. Several writers have suggested that psi can best be understood by examining the personal meaning and transformative effects of psi experiences (Kennedy, 2000, 2001; Taylor, 1995; White, 1990, 1993, 1994). White (1993) suggested that the best research strategy may be to let psi lead us rather than to try to control or apply psi.

However, looking to psi to guide one's personal growth or research may be another form of application of psi that overlooks the unsustainable nature of psi. The role of psi may begin and end with inducing a sense of wonder. Personal transformation and growth may be inspired by the mystery of psi experiences, but psi may be an unsustainable source of information of any type--whether the information relates to personal growth or to predicting commodities markets.

This hypothesis does not indicate who or what is the source of psi. Presumably, psi effects result from the motivations and meanings of individuals interacting with another agency that allows or causes a psi effect to occur if the effect inspires mystery and wonder. For the present, labeling the unknown agency as a "higher consciousness" without attempting further clarification is probably as useful as offering untestable speculations about its nature or relationship to human consciousness and unconsciousness.

Once the scientifically uncomfortable step of considering that a higher consciousness may cause the unsustainable nature of psi is taken, more diverse properties of psi become plausible. In particular, the higher consciousness could allow psi effects in accordance with more complicated rules involving motivation and meaning, and particularly personal growth and spirituality. From a scientific perspective, the guiding principle must be to focus on the simplest, most testable models that are consistent with available data.

The capricious, actively evasive, unsustainable nature of psi: a summary and hypotheses

Journal of Parapsychology, The, Spring, 2003 by J.E. Kennedy

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