Founded in 1882, The SPR was the first society to conduct organised scholarly research into human experiences that challenge contemporary scientific models.

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6 Jun 2013 - 6:35pm

The science delusion is the belief that science already understands the nature of reality, in principle. The fundamental questions are answered, leaving only the details to be filled in. The impressive achievements of science seemed to support this confident attitude. But recent research has revealed unexpected problems at the heart of physics, cosmology, biology, medicine and psychology. In his new book, Dr Rupert Sheldrake shows how the sciences are being constricted by assumptions that have hardened into dogmas. Should science be a belief-system, or a realm of enquiry? In the sceptical spirit of true scientific enquiry, Sheldrake turns the ten fundamental dogmas of science into questions, opening up startling new possibilities. For example, the “laws of nature” may be habits that change and evolve. The Gravitational Constant may not be constant. Minds may extend far beyond brains. The total amount of matter and energy may be increasing. Memories may not be stored as traces in our brains. Sheldrake argues that science would be better off without its dogmas: freer, more interesting and more fun.

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Latest news

The Helene Reeder Memorial Fund for Research into Life after Death

The Helene Reeder Memorial Fund for Research into Life after Death has announced grant awards for 2013: "The Helene Reeder Fund is pleased to announce the availability of grants for small and medium sized scientific research projects concerning the issue of Life after Death." read more >>

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Spirituality for a World in Crisis - meeting 8 June 2013

There will be a 'Gathering' on 8th June 2013 at the Essex Unitarian Church, London, on the theme: Spirituality for a World in Crisis: Working towards a Spiritual Alliance. read more >>

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'Altered Consciousness in Relation to Popular Culture' - Call for Papers

A two-day meeting at Queen Mary, University of London, in November will explore the theme of altered consciousness in relation to popular culture, psychology, philosophy, religion, medicine and literature during the period 1918-1980. read more >>

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Recent Publications

Extra Sensory: The Science and Pseudoscience of Telepathy and Other Powers of the Mind, by Brian Clegg

From the publisher’s website: Extra Sensory is a pop-science look at the untapped abilities of human beings, from ESP to Telekenesis and other real life sciences that are currently being studied today, from physicist Brian Clegg.

We'd all love to have 'psi' abilities like telepathy, telekinesis, and remote viewing. But is there any solid evidence to back up these talents, or are they nothing more than fantasy? We still only understand a small percentage of the capabilities of the human brain—and we shouldn’t dismiss such potential powers out of hand. Although there is no doubt that many who claim these abilities are frauds, and no one has yet won James Randi’s $1M prize for demonstrating ESP under lab conditions, we still have a Nobel prize winner suggesting a mechanism for telepathy, serious scientists researching the field and university projects that produced potentially explosive results. What’s the verdict? By looking at possible physical mechanisms for ESP and taking in the best scientific evidence, the reader can discover if this is all wishful thinking and deception, or a fascinating reality. The truth is out there.

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Extra Sensory. St Martin’s Press, June 2013. ISBN-13: 978-1250019066