Are Ghosts Real?
[Updated] I recently had a discussion with a skeptical paranormal investigator regarding ghosts and spirits. His stance was that our current level of science is sufficient enough to explain the majority, if not all, cases of paranormal phenomena. While I agreed that there are a lot of cases that can be solved using scientific explanations, my biggest sticking point in the discussion came regarding the possibility of ghosts or spirits.
According to the skeptic, ghosts (which he said were the same as a spirits) are currently undefined in science, and as such, can not be used as an explanation of paranormal activity. He went on to say that the only reason that today’s ‘pseudo paranormal investigators’ are finding evidence of such, is because they are operating under a belief bias that ghosts are real, and are naturally skewing their results to support that theory, instead of finding a scientific explanation.
To that, I asked, how is your biased belief system that ghosts / spirits are not real any different or more valid?
Naturally, this investigator is going to do the exact same thing that he accused the ‘pseudo paranormal investigator’ of doing by employing his own biases. The possibility of ghosts / spirits existing isn’t even a question to him since his version of science doesn’t support it.
Or does it?
I decided to look into this further and came across a very interesting article by EnlightenNext Magazine. In it, they interviewed Henry Stapp, a distinguished quantum physicist who studied under Heisenberg, and Pauli, amongst others. This is what he said regarding this issue:
[R]espectable theorists hold a wide variety of views as to how to understand quantum mechanics. That theory accommodates a large variety of phenomena that are not allowed by classical mechanics. The key point here is this: If something like [William] James’ fantastic laws of clinging do exist, and they are sufficiently strong, then aspects of a personality might be able to survive bodily death and persist for a while as an enduring mental entity, existing somewhere in Descartes’ world of mental things, but capable on rare occasions of reconnecting with the physical world. I do not see any compelling theoretical reason why this idea could not be reconciled with the precepts of quantum mechanics. Such an elaboration of quantum mechanics would both allow our conscious efforts to influence our own bodily actions, and also allow certain purported phenomena such as “possession”, “mediumship”, and “reincarnation” to be reconciled with the basic precepts of contemporary physics.
These considerations are, I think, sufficient to show that any claim that postmortem personality survival is impossible that is based solely on the belief that it is incompatible with the contemporary laws of physics is not rationally supportable. Rational science-based opinion on this question must be based on the content and quality of the empirical data, not on the presumption that such a phenomenon would be strictly incompatible with our current scientific knowledge of how nature works.
The full interview can be found here.
In this statement, not only does Stapp say its scientifically possible for ghosts (or the spirit of the deceased) to exist, it is a scientifically rational viewpoint.
The issue arises when we have classical scientist dismissing things that operate within the quantum because they unable to measure them, thereby using that as proof that something does not exist in totality or at the very least exist probabilistically. Clearly, this is flawed thinking.
It is my personal belief that many of these scientists and paranormal investigators who are dogmatic in the viewpoint that ghosts / spirits cannot exist do so with a lot of personal pride at stake. Not only would acceptance of the possibility of ghosts require them to admit they may have been wrong, it would also involve an overhaul of their basic belief systems, and that’s something that I feel may just be too much to ask. For now.
*Update
For anyone interested in more scientific evidence on the reality of ghosts, I encourage you to take a look at The Scole Experiment and take a look at my post The Afterlife Investigations. In it is a full length video going over some of the amazing evidence that was discovered by the Scole Group. From that post:
The Scole Experiment chronicles the extraordinary results of a five-year investigation into life after death. At the beginning of 1993 four psychic researchers embarked on a series of experiments in the Norfolk village of Scole. The subsequent events were so astounding that senior members of the prestigious
Society for Psychical Research asked to observe, test and record what took place.
Hello. I think it’s Henry Stapp.
It definitely is! Good eyes
i thing ghosts are real
i do too!!
i agree there hella real >.< if u liv in trailers lots of pl die there so if u liv ther boom ya done
i belive in ghosts
i belive in ghost there creepy
With the stuff I’ve seen or heard on the investigations I’ve been apart of I’d say that spirits or some form of an afterlife does exists. These people who say they don’t exist have a certain ego about themsevles, because no one can prove what exists and what don’t. There’s a lot of weird things that happen in this world, so what’s their explanation for that? Some people just shun things because they fear what they don’t understand and most of the time you won’t find these hardcore skeptics in a graveyard anyways. Why’s that?
Because graveyards are creepy!
if egytian afterlife is real why cant human afterlife be real as well when a pharoh dies people feel changes and then see changes just as king tut died alot of people thought that they kept seeing king tut walking around a saying that he will come back as a new pearson
they are real if they wernt we wouldent exist we are spirits who ever says the do not exits more than half of u are idoits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A true scientific approach is done without bias. If someone believes a result will happen then there is scientific bias, plain and simple. When a scientist conducts a study they outline what they are going to do, not make a determination beforehand. Lastly, scientists demand scrutiny of their work in order to make it acceptable, how many groups listen to others who give them critical scrutiny?
I’m not picking sides here, I’m just trying to get “believers” to understand the stance of “skeptics”. Granted, there are many flavors of skeptics just as there are believers. The hardcore skeptics are the ones I cannnot stand, no matter what you say they will always bring up something to instantly deny any possibility of your theory. A true skeptic is one that is in the middle of the road, but they will still demand verification beyond mere evidence and that controls and other scientific elements are in place. As an investigator for over 15 years I’ve learned that many things people think are paranormal are not and I realize just how hard it is to truly provide undisputable evidence. I’ve learned from skeptics how to keep myself from being fooled by many things as well as how to implement true science into investigations.
We also need to remember that an ego can go both ways, again I investigate a lot of locations, but there are still people out there who will get red-faced while arguing with me over protocol and evidence that is obvious to many to be false positive. True believers are just as bad as hardcore skeptics, the key is to be in the middle of the road to keep from getting hit by both sides.
Brian,
I absolutely agree with your post and thank you for your comment.
I think everyone needs to maintain a proper degree of skepticism in this field or risk getting caught up in their own pile of garbage evidence. That being said, I feel that many skeptics are in fact debunkers and non-believers, as was the case with the “skeptic” I was debating.
To not even accept the possibility of paranormal occurrences just seems so close minded that I have to wonder why these people waste their time investigating it at all…
*baffled*
Well said! I try to stay open_minded to my family and friends who says they see or hear ghosts or talk to spirit guides. Right now I just believe that the beliefs you feed your imagination with will become your reality. So I just dont want to open my mind to that because I feel that alot of these “ghosts” have negative energy. My sister in law says that its unfortunate that shes so in touch with spirits cuz it corrupts her mind. I do believe in spirits I just dont acknowledge them and I dont think I want to unless they have good energy. For now just reality and “God” is what I will acknowledge. Peace and love. Stay positive.
Brian Parson’s post is the only post i fully agree with here.
Sometimes i think the argument is blown out of proportion because the objective person/scientist (or what scientists should ideally be) is neither “skeptic” nor “believer”.
A skeptic goes into this argument with the belief that such things do not exist. A believer goes into this argument with the belief that such things do exist. Each in-turn looks for evidence that supports their stance. Both are wrong, in my opinion. This would be putting the cart before the horse.
My own stance is one of hope. That there is existence or some form consciousness after death. To belief or know otherwise would be depressing.
But i cannot bring myself to say that i believe in something until it can be proven (in that an outcome or result can be recreated if a process can be identified)
Jack,
I don’t necessarily agree that a skeptic has to approach the table under the pretense that they don’t believe. I think a true skeptic would say they are open to either possibility, because, the possibilities do exist, which was the purpose of this article. It’s only the hardcore debunker that would come in and say “none of this is real because science hasn’t proven it.” Not only is that an arrogant stance, it’s just not sound logic. There are many things science has yet to explain, but to say they don’t exist because science hasn’t explain it away is just silly. But at least you have an open mind, most people don’t even have that.
I just had to respond to your comment about not believing that something exists just because there is no scientific explanation being silly. Actually, that is rational and logical. Is it silly not to believe in unicorns, leprechauns, dinosaurs still existing? After all, you cannot prove they don’t. To me, the only thing that makes sense is to make decisions based on evidence. That doesn’t mean these things cannot possibly exist. It simply means, that based on our current scientific understanding of the universe, there is no reason (or need) for me to believe these things exist.
You cannot prove I can’t fly but based on the lack of evidence that I can, I have no reason to assume I can and that’s not very silly. Do you see what I’m saying?
GHOSTS DO NOT EXIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do to and theres no way to prove it
I saw one today it looked like one and it went under ground
you are so stupid why would you post a negative comment about the paranormal on a PARANORMAL site are you really that ignorant if you don’t believe in ghosts why are you on a fucking paranormal site you DUMBASS.
RETARD
hey dude ghosts are TO REAL i have prof i may be 13 but i have prof cause i talk to one almost every day hard to belive i know but its 100% TRUE GHOSTS ARE REAL i write stuff down the next week or two theres someones writing on that paper says stuff about him/her so GHOSTS ARE REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Learn how to spell proof first. There’s no such thing as stupid spooky spirits floating around.
This is awesome all I gotta say
I have seen a spirit with my own eyes, so there’s not a scientist out there who can convince me that there is no such thing. The problem here is that scientists are attempting to deal with a spiritual world. It is a different dimension-one in which we cannot see, but that doesn’t mean it does not exist. We have a supernatural God, who they cannot deny. If so, then ask them who placed our solar system in perfect harmony! We are made up of energy and energy cannot be destroyed. BUT, it can be changed. So, where do our spirits go when our earthly bodies die? I feel that people in general cannot think outside the box, because they are afraid of the unknown.
Are you thinking outside of the box or stuck inside of one? You can’t admit that your own eyes can lie to you and sometimes our eyes and our brains can play tricks on us? Are you sure there is a spirit world? You’re 100% sure we have a ‘supernatural God’? I am a believer in a lot of paranormal phenomena, but I can challenge and question any and every deep-seeded belief I or anyone else has, honestly and objectively. Can you say the same? Many people think they are thinking outside the box, but they really just trade one box for another. Sounds like you’re another person with your mind made up already and your perspective is already blinded by your own personal belief system. The difference between us is, I’ve seen stuff too… I just am not sure exactly what it was I saw. You made up your mind on the spot. Don’t worry.. that seems to be natural human behavior.
We shouldn’t call them ‘ghosts’. Ghosts is more hollywood stuff. Spirit is more accurate. For those of you who are skeptics, can you see an atom? No. Does it exist? Yes. Same thing goes for the afterlife and spirits. People are sketchy about these kinds of things because they are afraid of the unknown.
well wat u guys is saying is shit yall re bitches u now dat ghost are real they cannot be seen by every and any one thats because some people were born to be able to so to call it can see ghost .got at bitches and bitchets?
I read something a while ago saying how usually, ghosts are seen near watery places…so rivers, creeks, houses (water is in a house), or somewhere where there is moisture in the air, or has been raining and storming heavily.
This is because our brains emit electric signals and they remain on this earth forever and when there is moisture in the air, it helps bring back some intense memory and an alive person may be on the same wavelength and may SEE that memory/spirit/emotion.
I don’t remember much, but that was the gist of it and it made sense to me.
ghost are real im at my moms house and there is somethang in the kichen but someone toled me if u dont belive they will come for you. you have to belive me please if you dont they will find you and haunt you for the rest of your live the only reason im telling you this is my grandfather died of a ghost and i mess him a lot and that is the end of my story and all of this is true
Hi toni edwards soooooooooooo sorry about ur grandfathers
hi!!!!!
Ghosts are real!!! Once I was at school and I went into a room and no one was in there and I heard music playing and this is what it said….. 1 2 I’m coming for you 3 4 better lock your door……. I know it’s creepy right?
that kind of hapend to me but i was in the bathroom and i heard this tic tok tic tok and went on and on. and there was no clock it scared me half to death!!!
I THINK A GHOS TIS HAUNTING MY BASMENT HALP ME PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ
Okay all you do is stay calm and eat some icecream, go to a spa, and try to relax. Ghosts are not real, just spirits and bad spirits.
YOUR ALL CRAZY AND LIEING TO SCARE!!! YOU MUDER BEEEEEEEEEEEPERS!!!
Just the ones who are saying ghost are REAL I called MUDER BEEEEEEEPERS!!
what are some ways to find out if the paranormal is real?
I am a skeptical paranormal investigator. I’m not skeptical of the phenomena; I’ve experienced it myself. I’m skeptical of how we’ve labeled it. It certainly could be attributed to possibly ‘spirits’, ‘ghosts’, or ‘demons’. But, it has always disturbed me that people jump to these conclusions without really knowing 100% what is behind the phenomenon. It certainly could be the ‘spirit of a deceased human being’, but then again it may not. There is no question that ‘believers’, particularly the ones who make the leap to this conclusion with little real evidence to back their hypothesis, are extremely biased and color their own evidence with their personal beliefs, and vice verse, which is why I seperate myself from these sorts of people in my own searchings and investigations; particularly people with strong spiritual beliefs.
The Scole Experiment is always cited by parainvestigators, particularly because of certain witnesses who were allowed to attend, but the fact remains that the experiments were not allowed to be conducted in a controlled environment and thus have to remain suspect. It is a fascinating read, but I don’t see how any open-minded, non-biased investigator can take it at face value knowing this.
Have you ever cought a gost be4 expert?
I used to see ghosts all the time when I was a kid and hear strange things. It may have just been my imagination,,I really don’t know
How does this universe exsist yet not a spirit? I mean come on. I think the aliens put us on this planet. They know where the fuck all the ghosts are! All we need to do is take down a UFO and ask the man
There certainly is something to ghosts (or spirits or whatever anyone wants to call them) I have witnessed things myself and I think it would be great is more level-headed people would get involved in the field. The only problem I see are “hard core” believers and septics on both sides of the fence all trying to take center stage, thus ultimately bringing nothing but discredit to the entire field. I find this all very unfortunate.
Were do we really find gost in South Africa?
there is no way to prove ghosts/spirits are real and no way to prove they are not real.
They have to be real i saw it at summit medical group
Spirits are real but ghosts are not.
Omg I have a pet ghost but I don’t know if it in my imaganshon
Ghosts are real i can prove it
ghost suck my dick..ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!hellllpppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think ghost r real try this stair at something for a long time or a quick 2minute
And just quickly look at something als u will see one its like a blue shaddow fuzzy thing
You can’t prove something “doesn’t”exist. You can only prove it does.
I wasn’t aware that this many illiterate dumbasses existed…
SURE
no Their Not Real. believe me or Not! It’s only our Imaginary And If their A ghost Maybe Every step we take their’s has a Ghost. Your Just Scaring yourselves and Others.. Don’t Believe Me Don’t It’s your loss
SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOV IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IDIOTS
uuummm..ithink ghosts are real because i see one in our house
ghost are real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And how do you explain that?
I am 12 years old, in year 8. I am a ghost whisperer. At the moment, I Am trying to help daisy Williams escape the life of being in between heaven and earth so she can go to heaven and feel no more pain. On Halloween, I will give her a proper funeral and create a grave stone for her. She was a catholic so I am going to perform a catholic funeral ( I too am catholic) I tell you now, ghosts really are real. Often, they don’t know they are dead. They live like humans, have a family and everything. Other ghosts say they have woken up, all their life was a dream, and they begin a new life on earth
With our current knowledge in neurology, psychology, and other area’s of expertise concerning the brain, we can all but rule out any existence beyond the grave. I think that their should be a expiration date on all supernatural idea’s. Real scientist seek truth, unfortunately there is simply not enough conclusive evidence to support ghosts.
Oh, and quantum mechanics tells us that it’s also possible for a super hot model to spontaneously form in my house and fall desperately in love with me…I’m not gonna hold my breath though…
I think ghosts are not real, just spririts. You know how people say when people die they will always be in their heart? That is a spirit. I think ghosts are just made up creatures and people are trying to scare people with their idea of a bad spirit, which may be the creature. You can believe whatever you choose, but I choose not to believe in ghosts.
I believe in ghost because when i wake up
early some. A ghost showing to me and Im sure that it was a ghost..and some ghost whispering me.
I think ghosts are real cause im seeing my dead dog misty every where I go
I think its neat that some people experience spiritual phenomena. I haven’t though because i guess I’m not in tune with those things and don’t really have any belief in them. I want to believe that there are forces (spirits) among us that can somewhat interact with us. They may be personal or impersonal. But no one can convince me that we survive after death. Perhaps a strange form of energy passes on from our body after death, but certainly not our conscience mind with all our sensations and thoughts. If I’m wrong that would be cool, but i base my opinion off of my personal experience (or lack of) and scientific evidence towards human feelings, emotions, and sensations within the LIVING brain.