Are there Real Psychics?

Science Versus Psychic Powers

Feb 3, 2009
Jared Plotkin

Psychic Eye - Flickr CC

Do psychics really exist? Do some people have real psychic abilities? Can anyone ever know for sure? The answers to these questions may be shocking.

Is there such as thing as a "real" psychic? Dictionary.com defines the word "psychic" as " a person who is allegedly sensitive to psychic influences or forces." This definition, though accurate, is full of loaded words, the most obvious of which is "allegedly." Through understanding the true meaning behind terms like these, one can begin to know if there are any real psychics out there.

Psychic Influences or Forces

The psychic has traditionally operated in the realms of mysticism and spirituality. Psychics have relied on mystery and magic. As Carl Sagan once wrote "What they need is darkness and gullibility." Yet, despite the suspect conditions many psychics often operate in, millions of people around the world currently believe in psychics. This phenomena is not limited to the developing world -- more than half of all Britons say they believe in psychic powers.

Why Do People Believe in Psychics?

Many people believe in psychics because they claim to have had some kind of psychic experience themselves. A larger, more controversial reason is that people believe in psychics because they want to believe in psychics. From a philosophically pragmatic point of view, people cannot think completely objectively and they allow their biases, hopes, and wishes to construct a version of the truth that is useful to believe. That truth may include believing in psychics, whether or not the evidence is there to support it.

Science and the Psychic

The word "allegedly" from the dictionary confers upon the psychic a special status of permanent ambiguity. Since most people believe in psychics for subjective reasons, their opinions cannot prove or disprove the existence of real psychics. The scientific method, however, has more success. Controlled testing of people who think they have psychic abilities can see who is a psychic and who is not.

No Real Psychics?

Most people who claim they are psychic do not try to verify their beliefs via the scientific method, and those that have tried in a controlled, scientific setting have failed. This does not mean that science has issued an absolute proclamation precluding the existence of any real psychics. It simply means that there is no scientific evidence that they exist. There is much about the brain the scientists have yet to understand, and human evolution is an ongoing process. It is possible the scientists could discover evidence for real psychics in the future.

Despite the fact that most psychics chose not to test their abilities scientifically and operate in conditions that lend themselves to doubt, many people firmly believe in them. This fact is easily explained in the light of human subjectivity. The scientific method would be able to help sort through that problem, however, it has yet to uncover any evidence that there currently are any real psychics.

Jared Plotkin - I recently graduated from UC Irvine and I am trying to make a career out of freelance writing. I enjoy writing about a wide variety of ...

Comments

Feb 19, 2009 11:37 AM

Guest :

I'm not a psychic or anything, actually I'm a Biology Major and know well about the fields of science to a certain extent. With that said, I have had experiences with psychic ability myself, through dreams. I've dreamed of places I've never been or seen before and then later, once it took a whole year and then I would come before those places exactly as I have dreamed them, very clear and precise. My siblings who I shared my dreams to are always astound to my ability. Bad thing is, yes it irritates me because as a scientist it's almost unreasonable, and second I can't tell which dream would come true and which wouldn't. As much as believe in the world of science, I wouldn't doubt the world of psychics. I think it would have to do with the electric field, magnetic field and the energy force of the human mind. Someone should definitely do something about it because it is bothersome alright.

Aug 26, 2009 11:42 AM

Guest :

Everything that science cannot explain or isnt under their scope are declared nonexistent.....like electricity, atomic energy and the ability to construct a flying machine during the middle ages..........instead, they would search for an explanation that they can explain no matter how ridiculous it is that as if the one who experienced it is a wacko...they are quick to judge people who believe in such things not even considering the fact that they too have rational thinking

Aug 26, 2009 11:42 AM

Guest :

Dec 11, 2009 4:16 PM

Guest :

Not saying it is true...but why do I have a student in my school that once asked me to be ready for tomorrow because I won't take it easily. The next day me and my husband were arguing so horribly that it led me to being all depressed a while.

Jan 4, 2010 7:22 PM

Guest :

i have to do a project on this...so will anyone suggest any other sources about this topic...whether they are real or not? thanks!

Feb 15, 2010 4:55 AM

Guest :

will first of all am a psychic ,i guess . how i knew so . that once i had a dream about someone in my familey is dead . the next day my dad has died if am not psychic i don't know what i am then

Apr 16, 2010 4:45 PM

Guest :

It is amazing to me that as "smart" as a scientist is, he can say such stupid things. I like the comment that until science proves psychic abilities IT DOESN'T EXIST. How arrogant. I can be as skeptical as the next guy but as a person who has had numerous dreams that came true; some, actually most, the very next day, I am totally a believer in the legitimate psychics that do exist out there. There are frauds in every field - doctors with no degree, salesmen, lawyers, psychics etc. but that's not to say it is not possible to have preminotions, dreams that come true, visions and the like. I have dreamt of the end of the world twice, a cousin many miles away having a baby 2 months premature when I didn't even know she was pregnant, sister spraining her ankle, niece falling (in dream it was a bridge) but next day it was the basement stairs. She called on me to help just like in the dream, as I reached for her hand it slipped through her sleeves just like in my dream. They freak me out each time. Recently I dreamt of a guy who fell off a cliff. I woke up, remembered his name and asked my bf if he knew this person. He didn't. About 10 days or so later I was at an event, met a cool guy I wanted to network with, as he was writing down his info I screamed OMG I had a dream about u, u died. He freaked, later told me he had just talked about going rockclimbing that day. I begged him not too. I 100% believe I had that dream of him falling off a cliff to warn him not to go rock climbing when I would meet him in the future. I could go on but I really wish these big thinkers would not be so small minded as to think if science hasn't proven it, it doesn't exist. One more thing, on NYE I had a vision (first one) of my then bf jumping on his chair screaming "bad beat, bad beat". Well within 45 minutes of us toasting happy new year, he hit the bad beat jackpot winning $27,000. Everyone was excited, some jealous I'm sure but I was just stunned because eventhough he didn't literally jump on the chair, he sure was jumping with joy screaming "bad beat, bad beat", just as I saw it. It would be easier to be skeptical if I proclaimed things after they happened but each time I have said it prior to it actually occuring which fascinates me.

Jul 17, 2010 10:27 AM

Guest :

I think psychics are real and i might be one. Ever since i was about 5 or 6 I have had random dreams of things and places. Then after a long time i forget all about my dream and it happens and i remember it again. I'm also a pretty good guesser. I don't know if thats anything psychic or if its just coincidence though. I wish i knew exactly what is going on in my head. Am i psychic or just thinking i am what i'm not

Oct 6, 2010 3:06 PM

Guest :

I think this article is completely accurate. If you think your psychic, your retarded or crazy. END OF STORY!!!

Oct 10, 2010 7:39 PM

Guest :

I am not a psychic but I do belivve in it I have power but it's not the same as aura reading buts it's like it I can see the energy feilds of all living and non living things everyone has psychic powers and I mean everybody has all of the psychic powers like telekinesis an telpathy those are real but you would have to do much meditation and much practice you must understand and use your brains full potentiol and beleive but since evryone has all psychic powers some powers come easier to some people than others and to get certain powers that you would want you would have to work at it constantly

Oct 29, 2010 1:40 PM

Guest :

Psychics do exist. Yes, most are frauds and fake con-artists. I am not sure yet either how or why such people are actually "sensitive"... BUT Empathics and Telepathics DO exist. A site I visit from time to time is Liveperson. YES, most on here ARE fake and phony. But there are a few real Psychics here. If you do have funds and are willing to recieve help, go to Magic Song (Delany is her real name) or Alexandra. While a few other psychics may be great, these ladies ARE by far the real deal. :) I have been going to these gals for almost a year now.. ;)

Dec 13, 2010 3:42 PM

Guest :

um.... i am so confused me and my friend were outside and we started doing these hand movments and the wind started moving in the direction we were pointing every time what does it mean

Jan 2, 2011 4:40 PM

Guest :

Well, I myself am studying Psychic in the term of Psychokinesis, and from some research, I can tell that Scientists aren't sure how to prove a statement in which Psychic ability is possible or not. It has left our country into a deep confusion my friend. But I assure you brain waves and learning how to amplify it or at least observe it highly well will make some results show. whether psychic ability is possible or not isn't answered with a slight thought.

13 Comments