Sixth Sense

[Meshavrischika]

Hehehe

I fail to see much difference between the idea of knowledge from the holy spirit and ESP or other psychic powers. (as in whether or not they exist). I think that the holy spirit has done some things that taken out of a religious context would be very ESPish. It's not the least bit surprising or offensive to me to think this is real phenomenon.

 

[Bombila]

Look into quantum physics. They are working on doing all sorts of crazy stuff.

Do I understand quantum physics? No.

But everytime I read some excited screed about how quantum physics/mechanics is indicating the immense power of our minds or the existence of supernatural realms or higher planes or some such, I run right off to hear what some real physicists have to say about it. And they almost always identify it as pure fantasy based on a poor understanding of physics.

Physicists are learning and discovering fascinating things about the nature of the universe, matter and energy. I just think we should listen to these discoverers themselves, and not some guy (don't mean you, Vene - just using your quite reserved post to jump from) who riffs off new findings without having a real grasp on the subject or the real implications.

 

[keith99]

I suspect that what we consider ESP is a combination of subconscious pattern recognition and confirmation bias.

People get a feeling about something. If it turns out to be right they suspect something supernatural, if it turns out to be wrong they ignore it.
I think our brains are probably capable of more processing than we are aware of in our conscious mind and may 'notice' things that we don't, thus giving us feelings. But beyond that, no, I don't believe in things like ESP or telekinesis.

Mentalism is a different thing, kind of psychology combined with performance magic. Cold reading is in a similar category. Both of these can be demonstrated but do not require supernatural skill.

I tend to agree. I have one I could make a good case for precognition in my life (but it is not). I went to camp with the YMCA for 15+ years as a camper and leader. Some of those years as a leader I was out almost all summer. There is a game called 'capture the flag' in htat entire time there was one and only one time I did not play. It was on a packpacking camp and in declining I said 'I'm not going toi end up walking out on a twisted ankle'. Yup that is exactly what happened to someone else. Precognition? Nope, uneven ground, high probability and high consequences. Just thinking.

There is an interesting Science Fiction story 'Three Matches' (Russian in origin, collected in 'Soviet Science Fiction' by Asimov, or one of its sequils). It goes with the idea of real Psi powers under real research conditions during the cold war. In a Soviet lab. Long story short they do have a true star, he can actually lift objects. But just as a weightlifter can hurt himself lifting too much so might a psi guy. He burns out his brain and is little more than an idiot afterward, yup did it lifting 3 matches.

That I think might be a better image of what Psi powers might actually be like, if they exist at all.

 

[FaithLikeARock]

No



No




He sounds like a crackpot


Glad to be of help

More of a crackpot than people who believe you CAN move things with your brain?

 

[Corey]

You mean 7th sense, the 6th is proprioception.

You mean 8th? 7th is kinesthesia (proprioception includes balance).

 

[stan1980]

More of a crackpot than people who believe you CAN move things with your brain?

Well to be honest, i expect it off some people, but not a professor!

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Does it exist? I'm sure it does, but not on the level that Hollywood portrays it to be.

 

[stan1980]

Does it exist? I'm sure it does, but not on the level that Hollywood portrays it to be.

I don't think it does. I don't think anyone has been able to prove anything under controlled tests, so with zero evidence, you'd have to say it is unlikely it exists.

 

[cantata]

Do I understand quantum physics? No.

But everytime I read some excited screed about how quantum physics/mechanics is indicating the immense power of our minds or the existence of supernatural realms or higher planes or some such, I run right off to hear what some real physicists have to say about it. And they almost always identify it as pure fantasy based on a poor understanding of physics.

Physicists are learning and discovering fascinating things about the nature of the universe, matter and energy. I just think we should listen to these discoverers themselves, and not some guy (don't mean you, Vene - just using your quite reserved post to jump from) who riffs off new findings without having a real grasp on the subject or the real implications.

Apart from anything else, if it's encompassed by explanations from quantum physics, it's by definition not supernatural; it's natural.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

I don't think it does. I don't think anyone has been able to prove anything under controlled tests, so with zero evidence, you'd have to say it is unlikely it exists.

As I said, I don't believe its on the level of Hollywood's presentation of it. I do believe that some people have heightened senses of awareness, moreso then other individuals.

 

[Paulos23]

to the OP: No. There has been no positive evidence of this.

 

[acropolis]

Having experienced genuine deja vu, I'm forced to admit, at the very least, that our understanding of reality is very incomplete.

 

[ranmaonehalf]

To the non-Christians/non-spirituals: Do you believe ESP actually .... I mean actual, sixth sense, neurological ESP. Do you think there is any way to tell the future via whatever.

i have had man dejavu experiences before but for the most part thats were it ends..
as for other kinds, me and Gf often seem to have some sort of mental connection.

do i believe in it? not exactly but i am willing to give someone a chance (provided there is no charge)

 

[ranmaonehalf]

I'm not sure.

Generally, I'd say most claims are false. However the fact that we use about 3% of our brains makes me think that there's a lot of potential for powers we don't understand.

I...

and who says 70% of statisics are made up on the spot?

seriously though we use mostg of our brain, maybe not all at once but we use most of it.

 

[ranmaonehalf]

To the non-Christians/non-spirituals: Do you believe ESP actually .... I mean actual, sixth sense, neurological ESP. Do you think there is any way to tell the future via whatever.

i have had man dejavu experiences before but for the most part thats were it ends..
as for other kinds, me and Gf often seem to have some sort of mental connection.

do i believe in it? not exactly but i am willing to give someone a chance (provided there is no charge)

 

[Darkhorse]

I believe in ESP without question - it's very common in my family, and doubting its existance would be like trying to deny speech or facial expressions.

I don't think there's anything evil or demonic about it, but (like speech or expressions) I believe Satan can trick us into using it for evil purposes.