How to study the supernatural?

[RileyG]

Those are all really nice adjectives for something you can't demonstrate exists. This thread is about how one should go about that demonstration. Please answer the OP.

Five proofs of God? Ontological arguments? Teological arguments? We are getting into philosophical reasons why God exists, but from a scientific perspective, I cannot answer it.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

Not the first time and I doubt it'd be the last.

IDK why I've always been under the impression you were female. And I usually try to use gender-neutral terms, but I was just so sure, lol. Thanks for the correction. I'll be sure to use your preferred pronouns from now on. (see, guys? It's not that hard. )

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

IDK why I've always been under the impression you were female. And I usually try to use gender-neutral terms, but I was just so sure, lol. Thanks for the correction. I'll be sure to use your preferred pronouns from now on. (see, guys? It's not that hard. )

I did have a female anime Scottish WW1 soldier as an avatar for while, and that did have people saying I was a woman.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

Five proofs of God? Ontological arguments? Teological arguments? We are getting into philosophical reasons why God exists, but from a scientific perspective, I cannot answer it.

Fair enough. Just understand that what you're describing is nothing more than your own beliefs and nothing you actually know. Everything you "know" about this god is what you've been told by other people.

 

[RileyG]

Fair enough. Just understand that what you're describing is nothing more than your own beliefs and nothing you actually know. Everything you "know" about this god is what you've been told by other people.

No. Not exactly. I have my own relationship with God and know him personally. I know you won't accept it, but no, it's not because "I've been told by other people."

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

No. Not exactly. I have my own relationship with God and know him personally. I know you won't accept it, but no, it's not because "I've been told by other people."

You are correct. I do not accept that.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Five proofs of God? Ontological arguments? Teological arguments? We are getting into philosophical reasons why God exists, but from a scientific perspective, I cannot answer it.

I do, btw, consider that a reasonable answer.

 

[RileyG]

You are correct. I do not accept that.

Since you are an atheist, I'm not surprised It's all good

 

[RileyG]

I do, btw, consider that a reasonable answer.

Thank you.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Not really. Just saying "Oh, you need to believe in it!" is not how science works, or any standard of measurement works. To accept the supernatural, tests need to be carried out to show the validity of the claim of the supernatural.

No, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying. I’m saying that you won’t be able to see the supernatural works of God unless you believe.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

No, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying. I’m saying that you won’t be able to see the supernatural works of God unless you believe.

But there are those who say that we should be able to. That's who I'm asking the question to.

 

[AV1611VET]

Here's how I see it. If some people believe they have a superior method to conduct science, then they need to go out into the real world, implement that method, and demonstrate how it produces better results.

 

[AV1611VET]

Not really. Just saying "Oh, you need to believe in it!" is not how science works, or any standard of measurement works. To accept the supernatural, tests need to be carried out to show the validity of the claim of the supernatural.

With what machines?

Machines are built and programmed to find just what they're built and programmed to find.

How would you find a machine to find and test spiritual ectoplasm?

 

[Aaron112]

With what machines? Machines are built and programmed to find just what they're built and programmed to find.
How would you find a machine to find and test spiritual ectoplasm?

Wheeeeee (raising hand waiving in the air wildly!) ! Ask ME ask ME !

Okay, good. I toook the course and watched ghostbusters...... It was so much FUN!

......... BOOO!

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

With what machines?

Machines are built and programmed to find just what they're built and programmed to find.

How would you find a machine to find and test spiritual ectoplasm?

You tell me. I'm the one asking the question on how the supernatural can be studied.

 

[AV1611VET]

You tell me. I'm the one asking the question on how the supernatural can be studied.

Cause and Effect comes to mind.

(And before you say what I think you're going to say, keep in mind that the first step in searching for the supernatural is to admit the supernatural exists.)

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Cause and Effect comes to mind.

(And before you say what I think you're going to say, keep in mind that the first step in searching for the supernatural is to admit the supernatural exists.)

That's not a good way for anything to be studied. Correlation does not equal causation.

 

[truthpls]

This is something that repeatedly pops up every time someone goes on a rant against science not doing what they want science to do:

SCIENCE ONLY STUDIES NATURE!

Of course science studies nature. It's what science does.

So let's not ask or expect it to do more.

But if you want science to study the supernatural, that which is supposed to exist beyond and outside nature, you have to actually give it something to work with.

Who could want something strictly natural to study or even see anything that is not?

So I ask you: how exactly CAN science study the supernatural? What methods, what tests?

None with natural only science. They have to take it by faith that there is no supernatural (or is). So when they make declarations based on the idea that there is not anything else, then that is ignorance.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

So, after five pages, the majority conclusion for my asking how to study the supernatural really just boils down to "You've got to believe in the supernatural!"
Which is putting the cart before the horse when it comes to science.

 

[essentialsaltes]

So, after five pages, the majority conclusion for my asking how to study the supernatural really just boils down to "You've got to believe in the supernatural!"

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.”
― Philip K. Dick