F
amous Scientists and the Paranormal:
Implications for Consciousness Research
Presented at:
Toward a Science of Consciousness (Tucson3),
April 27-May 2, 1998, Tucson, Arizona
by Michael A. Cremo
Research Associate in History and Philosophy of Science
Bhaktivedanta Institute
9701 Venice Blvd. #5
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 837-5283
Fax: (310) 837-1056
Email: mcremo@compuserve.com
Abstract:
Parapsychological research generally tends to suggest some kind of dualist
solution to the mind/body question. But parapsychological research is sometimes
viewed with suspicion by scientists involved in consciousness research. One
is left with the impression that such work is for marginal individuals, outside
the mainstream of science. This impression may, however, be based on an incomplete
understanding of the history of science. For example, not many physicists
know that Nobel Laureates Pierre and Marie Curie were involved in parapsychological
research. They participated with many other noted French scientists
in investigating paranormal phenomena that occurred in the presence of the
Italian medium Eusapia Palladino. In the works of Charles Richet (Nobel laureate
physiologists) and others, we get an intriguing picture of Marie Curie controlling
the medium while her husband Pierre measured the movement of objects in the
room. Pierre Curie came to the conclusion that the phenomena were genuine.
Richet himself conducted extensive research into the paranormal, as did Alfred
Russell Wallace, cofounder with Darwin of the theory of evolution by natural
selection, and Sir William Crookes, Nobel Laureate in physics and President
of the Royal Society. And they were not alone. Indeed, from the time of Newton
to the present, some of the best minds in science have actively investigated
paranormal phenomena and come to conclusions tending to suggest that consciousness
cannot be reduced to brain functions or derived from biochemistry.
Famous Scientists and the Paranormal:
Implications for Consciousness Research
by Michael A. Cremo
Currently, dualist solutions to the brain/consciousness question are distinctly
unpopular in mainstream scientific circles. Most research efforts are dedicated
to exploring the “neural correlates of consciousness,” the brain circuitry
that supposedly produces consciousness. The unremitting reductionism of most
consciousness research does not interfere with my personal beliefs in Krishna
consciousness, nor with my practice of Hare Krishna mantra meditation, inspired
by my years of study of the ancient Sanskrit writings of India, as I have
received them from my guru Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. But I am
concerned that this almost unquestioned reductionism prevents many in the
world of science from appreciating the true dimensions and characteristics
of consciousness, which is something absolute, and not derivable from biochemistry
or biophysics. Of course, even today there are researchers who pursue investigations
suggesting consciousness is something that cannot be understood by the ordinary
laws of physics and chemistry. These investigations come under the general
heading of the “paranormal.” Most paranormal researchers concern themselves
with micro-psychokinetic effects (statistically significant intentionally
induced variations in the output of random number generators) and mico-esp
events (statistically significant identifications of cards or pictures through
remote vision). I find such work of considerable value, but I find even more
value in the account of famous scientists of the past who recorded instances
of macro-psychokinetic and esp events. These accounts, if true, in my opinion,
provide stronger and more direct evidence for the existence of a conscious
self, distinct from matter, than statistical summations of accounts
of micro-effects.
Many modern scientists know that Sir Isaac Newton, the founding father of
modern science, wrote extensively on alchemy and esoteric spiritual topics.
But the paranormal research of later figures in science are less well
known in scientific circles. Indeed, many suppose that research into the paranormal
has been the special province of those on the outermost fringes of
normal science. This may be true today, but it has not always been so. Some
of the greatest minds of modern science have busied themselves with problems
that now for many seem taboo. I shall now give a few of the many examples
that could be given.
Alfred Russell Wallace was cofounder, with Charles Darwin, of the theory
of evolution by natural selection. He conducted decades of research into spiritualistic
phenomena, sometimes in the company of Sir William Crookes. Wallace wrotee:
"I ought to state that for twenty-five years I had been an utter skeptic
as to the existence of any preter-human or super-human intelligences, and
that I never for a moment contemplated the possibility that the marvels related
by Spiritualists could be literally true. If I have now changed my opinion,
it is simply by the force of evidence.”
Sir William Crookes received the Nobel Prize for physics in 1911, for his
discovery of the element thallium. Crookes was also elected President of the
Royal Society, England’s most prestigious scientific body. He gave this account
of a séance with D.D. Home (May 22, 1871), attended by himself and
Wallace: "The table now rose completely off the ground several times whilst
the gentlemen present took a candle, and kneeling down deliberately examined
the position of Mr. Home's feet and knees, and saw the three feet of the
[3-footed] table quite off the ground. This was repeated, until each observer
expressed himself satisfied that the levitation was not produced by mechanical
means on the part of the medium or any one else present."
Wallace and Crookes had both seen an accordion play while Home held it with
one hand, away from the keyboard. Later, Crookes designed an experiment to
further test this phenomenon. To insure that Home was not using sleight of
hand, Crookes made a cage, which rested under a table. An accordion was placed
in the cage, and Home was allowed to insert one hand into the cage to grasp
one end of the instrument. Home was to keep his other hand on the top of the
table. This arrangement prevented Home from using his free hand to manipulate
the instrument. To guard against a trick accordion, Crookes supplied a brand
new one never seen by Home. Crookes reported that even with this arrangement
the accordion played as usual.Then Home removed his hand from the cage. Crookes
stated: “I and two of the others present saw the accordion distinctly floating
about inside the cage with no visible support.” Wallace reported a similar
experience.
Both Wallace and Crookes reported seeing Home levitate. Crookes reported:
“The best cases of Home's levitation I witnessed in my own house. On one occasion,
he went to a clear part of the room, and, after standing quietly for a minute,
told us he was rising. I saw him slowly rise up with a continuous gliding
movement and remain about six inches off the ground for several seconds, when
he slowly descended. On this occasion no one moved from their places. On
another occasion I was invited to come to him, when he rose 18 inches off
the ground, and I passed my hands under his feet, round him, and over his
head, when he was in the air.” Crookes reported many other instances
of Home levitating.
Every student of physics knows the story of the Curies. Their investigations
of radioactivity earned them the Nobel Prize 1n 1903 and helped set physics
on its modern course. But hardly anyone knows that they were heavily involved
in psychical research. Along with Dr. Charles Richet, and other European scientists
of the early twentieth century, they participated in investigations of the
Italian medium Eusapia Palladino.
Eusapia was born in Italy in 1854, and her psychic abilities were manifested
early in life. By the late nineteenth century, she was the object of study
for many of Europe’s leading scientists. In 1905, she came to Paris, where
Pierre and Marie Curie were among those who investigated her.
Pierre Curie, letter to Georges Gouy, July 24, 1905: “We had at the Psychology
Society a few séances with the medium Eusapia Palladino. It was very
interesting, and truly those phenomena that we have witnessed seemed to us
to not be some magical tricks --a table lifted four feet above the floor,
movements of objects, feelings of hands that pinched you or carressed you,
apparitions of light. All this in a room arranged by us, with a small number
of spectators all well known and without the presence of a possible accomplice.
The only possible cheating would be an extraordinary ability of the medium
as a magician. But how to explain the different phenomena when we are
holding her hands and legs, and the lighting of the room is sufficient to
see everything going on?”
In another letter to Gouy (April 14, 1906), Curie wrote: “We had a few new
séances with Eusapia … those phenomena exist for real, and I can’t
doubt it any more. It is unbelievable but it is thus, and it is impossible
to negate it after the séances that we had in conditions of perfect
monitoring.”
Charles Richet, who won the Nobel Prize in physiology in 1913, carried out
decades of research into psychical phenomena. He participated with the Curies
in the investigations of Eusapia Palladino. Here is one of his accounts of
a séance:
“It took place at the Psychological Institute at Paris. There were present
only Mme. Curie, Mme. X., a Polish friend of hers, and P. Courtier, the secretary
of the Institute. Mme. Curie was on Eusapia’s left, myself on her right, Mme.
X, a little farther off, taking notes, and M. Courtier still farther, at
the end of the table. Courtier had arranged a double curtain behind Eusapia;
the light was weak but sufficient. One the table Mme. Curie’s hand holding
Eusapia’s could be distinctly seen, likewise mine also holding the right hand.
. . We saw the curtain swell out as if pushed by some large object. . . I
asked to touch it . . . I felt the resistance and seized a real hand which
I took in mine. Even through the curtain I could feel the fingers … I held
it firmly and counted twenty-nine seconds, during all which time I had leisure
to observe both of Eusapia’s hands on the table, to ask Mme. Curie if she
was sure of her control . . . After the twenty-nine seconds I said, ‘I want
something more, I want uno anello (a ring).’ At once the hand made me feel
a ring . . . It seems hard to imagine a more convincing experiment . . .
In this case there was not only the materialization of a hand, but also of
a ring.”
Camille Flammarion (1842-1925), founder of the French Astronomical Society,
carried out extensive research into clairvoyance and apparitions. Flammarion
concluded: “All these observations prove that a human being does not consist
only of a body that is visible, tangible . . . it consists, likewise, of a
psychic element that is imponderable, gifted with special, intrinsic faculties,
capable of functioning apart from the physical organism and of manifesting
itself at a distance with the aid of forces as to the nature of which we are
still ignorant.”
Lord John William Strutt Rayleigh (1842-1919) received the 1904 Nobel Prize
in physics for his discovery of argon. Rayleigh was attracted to psychical
research by the writings of Sir William Crookes. He was cautious in drawing
conclusions, but he never disavowed any of the positive experiences he recorded.
Rayleigh accepted the presidency of the Society for Psychical Research in
1919. In his presidential address he said, “I have never felt any doubt as
to the importance of the work carried on by the Society . . . Our goal is
the truth, whatever it may turn out to be, and our efforts to attain it should
have the sympathy of all, and I would add especially of scientific men.”
With Charles Richet, Oliver J. Lodge, a famous English physicist, participated
in experiments with Eusapia Palladino and was convinced her phenomena,
in this case, were real. During the First World War, his son Raymond was killed
on the battlefield. Afterwards, Lodge claimed he was receiving verifiable
communications from him through mediums. Lodge wrote: “I have made no secret
of my conviction, not merely that personality persists, but that its continued
existence is more entwined with the life of every day than has been generally
imagined . . . and that methods of intercommunication across what has seemed
to be a gulf can be set going in response to the urgent demand of affection.”
The testimony of such scientists, noted for their their skill in experimental
design and observation, when taken in combination with modern parapsychological
research, provides good reason to suppose that there is more to the human
organism than the physical body visible to our eyes. It would appear that
a complete picture of the human being must also take into account subtle mental
energies and a conscious self distinct from the body. When embodied the conscious
self can make use of subtle mental energies to manipulate matter in ways
transcending the normal laws of physics. And when detached from the body,
the same self can apparently make use of the same subtle mental energies to
communicate with selves still embodied.
Back to Papers