Theos-Talk Archives (June 2004 Message tt00182)

Daniel H. Caldwell wrote:
> Skeptics belonging to the organization CSICOP 
> constantly use the tactic of suggesting an alternative 
> explanation as a possibility in order to show that there 
> is no good proof even of ESP, telepathy, clairvoyance, etc.
>
> In trying to explain any phenomenon -- including 
> historical cases -- there are many POSSIBLE alternative 
> explanations.
Not always. That is what scientific method is all about. Occam's Razor 
("Do not unnecessarily multiply entities") is a method for building 
knowledge; if something can be explained by already known means, then it 
is a waste to suppose unknown means. Scientific method calls for 
creating an experiment that eliminates those explanations.

For example, years ago, when Uri Geller appeared on Dick Cavett, James 
Randi helped set things up. There was one basic principle; the set-ups 
were designed to fail if Geller were using the means that Randi thought 
he was using, but succeed if he were using real psychic abilities. 
Geller failed completely.

Since stage magicians and charlatans have been around for centuries, in 
one form or another, one must assume that, if the phenomenon can be 
produced by means that are thoroughly documented, then if we assume 
otherwise, we end up with knowledge becoming random, and therefore 
impossible.

Bart