Are these Ghosts or Just my Imagination?

[dsheinem]

I'm very disappointed in the amount of superstitious belief in this thread. *sigh*

What's so disappointing?

I don't really believe that ghosts walk the earth, but, particularly if someone believes he has had direct experience with them, I don't really see how such a belief is unreasonable.

Because of all the people claiming to have had ghost encounters over the years there is still no scientific evidence of ghosts, which is what I would need to go on in order to believe a claim of something like this.

So while I can believe someone thinks that they saw something supernatural and can recognize that this thinking has genuinely affected them in some way, their ghost story does nothing to convince me of the facticity of a paranormal being itself.

[Limewater]

Because of all the people claiming to have had ghost encounters over the years there is still no scientific evidence of ghosts, which is what I would need to go on in order to believe a claim of something like this.

The whole point of ghosts is that they're supernatural. Seeking scientific evidence of a supernatural phenomenon is, by definition, a fool's errand as far as I can tell.

So while I can believe someone thinks that they saw something supernatural and can recognize that this thinking has genuinely affected them in some way, their ghost story does nothing to convince me of the facticity of a paranormal being itself.

I don't disagree with this statement. I would not expect these folks to convince you.

[Limewater]

Accidental screwy double-post. Sorry.

[dsheinem]

Because of all the people claiming to have had ghost encounters over the years there is still no scientific evidence of ghosts, which is what I would need to go on in order to believe a claim of something like this.

The whole point of ghosts is that they're supernatural. Seeking scientific evidence of a supernatural phenomenon is, by definition, a fool's errand as far as I can tell.

I completely agree.

[Limewater]

The whole point of ghosts is that they're supernatural. Seeking scientific evidence of a supernatural phenomenon is, by definition, a fool's errand as far as I can tell.

I completely agree.

I still don't get why this registers disappointment.

[dsheinem]

The whole point of ghosts is that they're supernatural. Seeking scientific evidence of a supernatural phenomenon is, by definition, a fool's errand as far as I can tell.

I completely agree.

I still don't get why this registers disappointment.

Well I don't want to put words in Hobie's mouth, but I assume he's disappointed that some people aren't basing their beliefs in scientific evidence and/or rationality.

[Hobie-wan]

I still don't get why this registers disappointment.

Well I don't want to put words in Hobie's mouth, but I assume he's disappointed that some people aren't basing their beliefs in scientific evidence and/or rationality.

Yeah, pretty much. Considering what a level headed group we have here I'm surprised so many seem to believe in ghosts.

But I should have just kept my mouth shut as I don't mean to insult anyone.

[Limewater]

Well I don't want to put words in Hobie's mouth, but I assume he's disappointed that some people aren't basing their beliefs in scientific evidence and/or rationality.

I don't see any rational reason why we should refuse to believe in something simply because it is outside of the scope of science. I'm not going to stop believing in the Axiom of Choice. It's not really observable, testable, falsifiable, etc.

*I should clarify. I don't really quite but belief in the supernatural in the same category as belief in fundamental mathematical axioms, but I still think it's worth mentioning.*

*I should also probably clarify my mentioning of the Axiom of Choice. It's an axiom (accepted without proof) that's really important in set theory. Almost all mathematicians believe in it. It can't be proven, and it has been proven that it can't be proven, but it is necessary for a lot of stuff. That's all I was really trying to say when I mentioned it.*

[dsheinem]

Well I don't want to put words in Hobie's mouth, but I assume he's disappointed that some people aren't basing their beliefs in scientific evidence and/or rationality.

I don't see any rational reason why we should refuse to believe in something simply because it is outside of the scope of science. I'm not going to stop believing in the Axiom of Choice. It's not really observable, testable, falsifiable, etc.

They are different. With the axiom of choice, you are dealing with a theoretical math concept, something that can't be verified due to physical limits. With something like ghosts or UFOs you have a phenomenon that people claim to have supposedly had a physical, first hand experience with. They could see/feel/hear ghosts. Nonetheless, there is no physical evidence in existence that verifies these claims. We have people trained in documenting phenomenon that can be seen/heard/felt, yet they have not been able to corroborate these claims.

[YoshiEgg25]

My mom said that I had a ghost go by me when I was little. We both noticed apparently. I don't remember it.

In any case, I don't really believe it, but I don't really disbelieve it. Kinda like how I view religion.