1. There is No Mind-Body Problem In Parapsychology Hoyt Edge Rollins College Winter Park, Florida

2. Conceptual Issue William James – Be clear on your concepts William James – Be clear on your concepts Concepts have a history Concepts have a history Ideas arise in a conceptual environment in which they do work

3. Mind was invented in the 17 th century Two assumptions: Two assumptions: 1. Cartesian dualism – mind and body MindMatter MindMatter ThinkingNon-thinking Non-spatialSpatial FreeDetermined PurposefulMechanical Seat of valueA-valuable Subject (ive)Object (ive) 2. Atomism – no action at a distance

4. History of Parapsychology Arose under assumptions of dualism Arose under assumptions of dualism J. B. Rhine explicitly argued that parapsychology proved Cartesian dualism J. B. Rhine explicitly argued that parapsychology proved Cartesian dualism Late 20 th century dualists – Beloff and Dilly Late 20 th century dualists – Beloff and Dilly

5. Mind-Body Problem Arose and Depends on: 1. A particular view of mind and matter 1. A particular view of mind and matterCartesian-like These are mutually dependent terms 2. Atomism – no action at a distance 2. Atomism – no action at a distance

6. Paradigm Change Change in folk explanations – we no longer accept traditional mind-matter Change in folk explanations – we no longer accept traditional mind-matter Other examples Other examples Pendulum Pendulum Nature vs. Nurture Nature vs. Nurture “No longer is it nature versus nurture but nature via nurture. Genes are designed to take their cures from nurture. … You will have to enter a world where your genes are not puppet masters pulling the strings of your behavior but puppets at the mercy of your behavior;...a world…where environmental influences are sometimes less reversible than genetic ones, and where nature is designed for nurture.” Matt Ridley from Nature Via Nurture

7. Mind Student survey Student survey Advances in Neuro-science Advances in Neuro-science

8. Matter Subatomic physics Subatomic physics EPR and non-locality EPR and non-locality

9. Reconceptualize Problem: The Person Characteristics of Person Characteristics of Person Reflective subjectivity Reflective subjectivity 1 st person perspective 1 st person perspective Reflective, not just having experience Reflective, not just having experience Meaning Meaning Moral responsibility Moral responsibility

10. My view Bloom – even infants distinguish people from moving objects Bloom – even infants distinguish people from moving objects Person constituted by the body Person constituted by the body

11. A Naturalism No double-decker universe No double-decker universe But 3 rd person perspective alone will not work; it is non-reductionistic But 3 rd person perspective alone will not work; it is non-reductionistic Pluralism Pluralism Steoscopy in understanding the world is as important as it is in visual perception Steoscopy in understanding the world is as important as it is in visual perception

12. Parapsychology and Naturalism Parapsychologists are already accepting this, especially through physics Parapsychologists are already accepting this, especially through physics Entanglement Entanglement Radin Radin Pseudo-telepathy Pseudo-telepathy

13. The Future of Parapsychology: 4 comments 1. We should engage in cross-cultural research 1. We should engage in cross-cultural research Western individualism (atomism) and Non- Western collectivism (relational view) Western individualism (atomism) and Non- Western collectivism (relational view) Which psi phenomena appear cross-culturally? Which psi phenomena appear cross-culturally? How do they explain it How do they explain it Parapsychology is relational Parapsychology is relational

14. 2. Psi is a function of what? Traditionally, psi as function of mind Traditionally, psi as function of mind Now, is psi a function of person or of nature? Now, is psi a function of person or of nature?

15. 3. We can contribute to other disciplines We have already done this We have already done this Volition and other cognitive functioning Volition and other cognitive functioning Examine psychological processes Examine psychological processes

16. 4. The survival issue It is still an important issue It is still an important issue Is there any evidence Is there any evidence Conceptually, can a person survive and not simply a mind? Conceptually, can a person survive and not simply a mind?

17. 4 directions for the future 1. Cross-cultural research 1. Cross-cultural research 2. Psi as property of person or nature 2. Psi as property of person or nature 3. Contribute to other disciplines 3. Contribute to other disciplines 4. Survival research 4. Survival research