Why is PSI so elusive? A review and proposed model

Journal of Parapsychology, The, Sept, 2001 by J.E. Kennedy

This hypothesis does not explain why intermittent psi occurs rather than a complete absence of psi. Presumably, psi occurrence would be related to certain conditions. Therefore, in practical terms, this hypothesis is another subdivision of the hypothesis of special conditions (Hypothesis 3).

Conclusion

The hypothesis that psi has been inhibited by evolution has a weak rationale and little explanatory value in understanding the elusive nature of psi.

HYPOTHESIS 8. PSI IS AN ECOLOGICAL INTERCONNECTEDNESS WITHIN EVOLUTION

Psi appears elusive because we do not understand that it consistently and lawfully achieves its ecological purposes.

Supporting Arguments

The primary support for this hypothesis is that it seems logically compelling when one contemplates what the world would be like if psi were widely available. A cat could use psi to catch a mouse, but the mouse could use psi to avoid the cat. Eisenbud (1992) proposed that psi is an interconnectedness that includes sacrifice for the benefit of the overall ecological system. He described various observations of animal behavior that could be interpreted as sacrifice consistent with this hypothesis.

With this hypothesis, psi appears to be elusive because it fulfills purposes that pertain to the ecological system rather than to an individual as traditionally assumed in research. Broughton (1988) discussed a related concept of "evolutionary stable strategy" that balances individual abilities with competition among individuals.

Opposing Arguments

The extinction of many species appears inconsistent with this ecological interconnectedness or indicates a limited role for this interconnectedness. Similarly, in commenting on these ideas, Levin (1996, p. 226) pointed out that "competition among members of a population all of whom possess some particular skill usually leads to an evolutionary 'arms race,' as opposed to a mutual curtailing of its use."

Both reports of spontaneous psi experiences and the results of psi experiments indicate that psi can occur when the motivations or benefits appear to not have ecological or survival implications. This hypothesis explains the elusive nature of psi at the expense of falling to account for most of the available data supporting the existence of psi.

Conclusion

This intriguing hypothesis basically assumes psi is a process opposing the competitive forces of evolution. The support and opposition are largely theoretical rather than empirical. The relevant empirical evidence currently available raises doubts about the hypothesis and suggests limited applicability at best.

HYPOTHESIS 9. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF PSI IS PERSONAL OR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

The primary function of psi may be to inspire a worldview that is more interconnected, purposeful, or spiritual. Psi consistently achieves this function and is considered elusive only because it does not consistently conform to the egocentric wishes of people.

Supporting Arguments

The fact that psychic experiences tend to influence a person s worldview and spiritual perspectives is clearly established. A study of the effects of paranormal or transcendent experiences found that the most frequent effects pertained to spirituality (Kennedy & Kanthamani, 1995a). Similarly, a community survey of spontaneous psi experiences found that the most frequent effects were on attitudes toward self, meaning in life, and spirituality (Palmer, 1979). McClenon's cross-cultural surveys and field observations also indicate that paranormal experiences influence spiritual beliefs (McClenon, 1994). J.B. Rhine (1953, p. 227) and Tart (1997) have argued that parapsychological research demonstrates that humans have a spiritual aspect.