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Abstract

Abstract – Physicalism is the belief, that the world is in principle completely understandable in terms of physics. We give examples of some world models proposed by competent physicists in the spirit of physicalism. Subsequently, we subject physicalism to a critical analysis from an epistemological position. We present some alternatives to physicalism.

Keywords: naturalism – physicalism – epistemology – matter-mind problem – emergence – quantum theory – ontology

Abstract

Abstract – In Part 2 of “Astrology and Science: A Precarious Relationship”, the results of some population surveys are first presented to reveal definition problems in determining astrology. If investigating “astrology”, which concepts and practices to include are of crucial importance. After definitional clarification, the anomalistic aspects of astrology or astrological practice are attended to with a distinction made between the above-below-theorem as the traditional basic assumption of astrology and possible psi phenomena that can occur in astrological counseling practice. Further sections describe problems in scientific studies on the validity of astrology. Such problems could have led to the failure of these efforts. Furthermore, specific methodological problems in the investigation of the above-below-theorem and in matching tests are addressed. In a final step, various scientific approaches to astrology are listed with their respective specific questions, methodological approaches and relevance for the scientific world view or astrological practice.

Keywords: astrology – population surveys – definition – empirical studies – methodological problems – above-below-theorem – psi phenomena

Abstract

Abstract – The Greek Society for Psychical Research (GSPR), which flourished for 35 years in the 20th century, is currently not well recognized within parapsychology circles, either in its name or in its activities. Possible reasons may be its relatively short life almost entirely driven by the continuous efforts of one person, its co-founder and only president Dr. Angelos Evangelidis Tanagras (1875–1971). The current article pays a tribute to the many contributions of the Greek Society for Psychical Research to the international parapsychology, triggered by a recently recovered old manuscript, the typed German text of the renowned lectures that Tanagras delivered in Europe in year 1935. Tanagras had showed a film of Cleio performing telekinesis on a compass needle and had discussed the psychical research activities of the GSPR. He included in the lecture his theory of psychobolia, of which a summary is presented here. The content of these lectures is presented in the form of excerpts building the basis for the examination of the past research activities of GSPR. In a second part of the article, the mysterious case of the telekinetic medium Cleio will be further investigated, and finally the possible reasons why the GSPR has not survived until our current time are examined.

Keywords: history of parapsychology – Greek history – Greek Society for Psychical Research – psychic phenomena