Why Some Scientists Resist the Evidence for Psi

March 2nd, 2023

By Steve Taylor, Ph.D.

Guest writer for Wake Up World

I have been writing blog posts for Psychology Today for 12 years now. I have regularly written about “psi” phenomena such as telepathy or precognition and other anomalous phenomena such as reincarnation and after-death communications. I have put forward the evidence for such phenomena, explaining why I believe they are real rather than the product of delusion, fraud, or wishful thinking.

Over the years, I’ve been heartened by the comments and emails I receive from readers. Many of them say that they’ve had their own experiences of psi or that they’ve always believed in the phenomena but never realised that there was actually evidence for them. Sometimes readers tell me that they feel relieved, discovering that they can believe in the phenomena without being labeled as “crazy.”

Physicalism as a Belief System

The reason why some people feel that to believe in psi phenomena is “crazy” is because the prevalent worldview in our culture–at least in academia and science–is “physicalism.” Physicalism is based on a number of tenets or beliefs. For example, that matter is the fundamental thing in the universe, that consciousness is a neurological phenomenon, that mental problems are brain problems that can be treated like physical conditions, that human beings are genetic machines, and so on. Many people think that the above beliefs are established facts, but this isn’t the case for me. I argue that these are simply assumptions without hard evidence.1

The belief system of physicalism may explain why many scientists and academics resist the evidence for psi. Once metaphysical paradigms or belief systems are in place, they are extremely difficult to dislodge. They have a pronounced psychological effect. They give us a sense of orientation and help us to make sense of our lives. They give us a sense of certainty and security. They offer a complete, integrated view of the world that banishes existential confusion and doubt.

They also give us a sense of control over the world. Feeling that we understand the world means that we overstand it. To feel that you completely understand nature and the world provides a satisfying sense of superiority and dominion. Not knowing means living in uncertainty and confusion, being subordinate to the mysterious forces of nature.

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