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Theories on the Physical Basis of PSI (i.e.: ESP and PK).

© Donna L. Quesinberry

The second of this six part series on the Sixth Sense delivers us to the realm of the Physical Basis of PSI (i.e.: ESP and PK). It is interesting to note that there are true scientific and physical basises to PSI. We are going to explore some of them now.

Theories on the Physical Basis of PSI (i.e.: ESP and PK). Scientific research of paranormal phenomena was initiated in the late nineteenth century. The 'modern spiritualism' movement and the Theosophists brought about this more sophisticated evaluation of paranormal (PSI) research. PSI as a modern term came about post-1930 era. The science of parapsychology arose through J.B. Rhine (i.e.: J. B. Rhine is considered the father of modern parapsychology). Before Rhine's influence, what is now referenced as PSI was referred to as psychic phenomena, the supernatural, and/or the occult. Certainly, the terms supernatural and occult are often synonymous with ideologies that most PSI evaluators would rather not have laypeople envision as PSI factors.

The first formal use of 'PSI' was in 1946 by Robert Thouless and W.P. Weisner. These two scientists concluded that ESP and PK phenomena shared common properties. The existence of a single underlying principle, that they referred to as PSI, resulted from their research. Closest to PSI is the term "psychic."

Occultism references many superstitious practices that really have nothing to do with PSI. Paranormal phenomena has been used synonymously with PSI, but it really involves a broader expanse of events than PSI related phenomena. All PSI events are paranormal. All paranormal events are not PSI related.

The study of paranormal phenomena was brought into the laboratory venue via Rhine. He used generic terms of ESP and PK to describe quantities he measured experimentally, but PSI had been studied under different names for a century or more.

In 1953 the Utrecht International Congress (UIC) was held. The Parapsychology Foundation (PF) organized conferences regarding specific themes over the years; in each instance, PF chose topics of great importance to scientific and academic parapsychology and psychical research communities. They ensured presentations were delivered from the field as well as other disciplines.

Beginning with Utrecht, the PF has remain committed to providing presenters with stress-free experiences in well-appointed venues so all the energies of their conferences and the attendees could be turned toward the intellectualization of PSI topics.

The evolution of PSI terminology results in different historical periods of PSI development; they are as follows:

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