Abstract
I discuss the application of the Model of Pragmatic Information to the study of spontaneous anomalystic mental phenomena like telepathy, precognition, etc. In these phenomena the most important effects are related to anomalous information gain by the subjects. I consider the basic ideas of the Model, as they have been applied to experimental anomalystic phenomena and to spontaneous phenomena that have strong physical effects, like poltergeist cases, highlighting analogies and differences. Moreover, I point out that in such cases we cannot assign a probability of being accepted to every proposition, and so we cannot use standard formulas for pragmatic information and other relevant measures. To overcome the problem, I propose that qualitative possibility theory could be used to describe the situation. In such theory, the confidence in a proposition is expressed using a scale. Basic concepts like epistemic states, belief revision, information gain, pragmatic information etc. are discussed in this frame. Finally an application to some specific cases is sketched.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atmanspacher H, Roemer H, Walach H (2002) Weak quantum theory: complementarity and entanglement in physics and beyond. Found Phys 32:379–406
beim Graben P (2006) Pragmatic information in dynamic semantics. Mind Matter 4:169–194
Benferhat S, Dubois D, Prade H, Williams M (2002) A practical approach to revising prioritized knowledge basis. Stud Logica 70:105–130
De Boni G (1997) Un caso paranormale eccezionale. Luce e Ombra 97:367–388
Dubois D, Prade H (2004) Possibilistic logic: a retrospective and prospective view. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 144:3–23
Dubois D, Prade H (2009) Formal representation of uncertainty. In: Bouyssou D, Dubois D, Pirlot M, Prade H (eds) Concepts and methods of the decision-making process. ISTE, London
Persinger MA (1974) The Paranormal—Part I, Patterns. MSS, New York
Piccinini G, Rinaldi GM (1990) I fantasmi dei morenti: inchiesta su una credenza. Il Cardo, Viareggio
Rhine LE (1955) Precognition and intervention. J Parapsychol 19:1–34
Rinaldi GM, Piccinini G (1982) A survey of spontaneous cases in South Tyrol, unpublished manuscript
Schouten SA (1979) Analysis of spontaneous cases as reported in Phantasms of the living. Eur J Parapsychol 2:408–454
Schouten SA (1981a) Analysing spontaneous cases: a replication based on the Sannwald collection. Eur J Parapsychol 4:9–49
Schouten SA (1981b) Analysing spontaneous cases: a replication based on the Rhine collection. Eur J Parapsychol 4:113–158
Siccardi S (2008) Casi Spontanei ed Attività Sperimentale in Parapsicologia. Quaderni di Parapsicologia 39:11–31
Siccardi S, Bozzini A, Biondi M, Cassoli B, Magnanensi C (2008) Spontaneous cases in parapsychology: an analysis of the Italian literature In: Paper presented at the 32nd international conference of the society for psychical research, Winchester, 13–17 August
Siccardi S, Bozzini A, Biondi M, Cassoli B, Magnanensi C (2009) Casi Spontanei in Parapsicologia: un’analisi della letteratura in Italia. Quaderni di Parapsicologia 41:39–51
Steinkamp F (2000) Acting on the future: a survey of precognitive experiences. J Am Soc Psych Res 94:37–59
Stokes DM (1997) Spontaneous psi phenomena. In: Krippner S (ed) Advances in parapsychological research, vol 8. McFarland, Jefferson
von Lucadou W (1995) The model of pragmatic information. Eur J Parapsycho 11:58–75
von Lucadou W (1997) Psi-phaenomene neue ergebnisse der psychokinese-forschung. Insel taschenbuch, Frankfurt am Main
von Lucadou W, Zahradnik F (2004) Predictions of the model of pragmatic information about RSPK, the Parapsychological Association convention
von Lucadou W, Roemer H, Walach H (2007) Synchronistic phenomena as entanglement correlations in generalized quantum theory. J Conscious Stud 14:50–74
van Rooij R (2003) Quality and quantity of information exchange. J Log Lang Infor 12:423–451
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Siccardi, S. Spontaneous Anomalystic Phenomena, Pragmatic Information and Formal Representations of Uncertainty. Axiomathes 21, 287–301 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10516-010-9134-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10516-010-9134-8