Hi James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected]
>>> Ken Steele <[email protected]> 06-Jan-11 10:41:41 AM >>> I read the in-press ms that was floating about. Bem's assertion (in the in-press ms) that he didn't need to identify the mechanism of action permitted him to dodge questions about what I saw as an inchoate collection of results. JC This is the heart of the problem for me. It is not just that no mechanism is proposed, but that any possible mechanism for the effect as claimed would violate much that we know about the physical world. Some people make appeals to the weirdness of quantum effects, but Victor Stenger, a physicist, has labelled such claims as "quantum quackery." He wrote a book on it, along with some other pieces, such as the following in Skeptical Inquirer. http://www.csicop.org/si/show/quantum_quackery/ One possible hypothesis about cases like Bem is that some people are just TOO smart, which can have some negative effects. One possible consequence is that their brilliance leads them to think they have special insight into whatever domain they take an interest in. Another possible consequence is that they seek to have some truly transformative influence in some area. Or perhaps their brilliance leads them to take up particularly challenging topics. And while it is possible that Bem's thinking has been led along by his experimental findings, another possibility is that his experimental findings have been led along by his preconceptions. Scott stated that Bem's belief in ESP is long-standing and others have noted some of the machinations that appear to underlie his claims. Take care Jim --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=7719 or send a blank email to leave-7719-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
