SPR STUDY DAY 72 - REPEATABLE PSI – A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS?

Psychical Research could be defined as the study of unpredictable events and uncontrollable effects, so that a repeatable experiment, meaning one where a stated effect will always follow a prescribed cause, may demonstrate something, but it will not be psi. Taking the opposite standpoint, it can be maintained that if we knew enough about the causes of psi, then it could be controlled and made to perform to order by any competent person following the specified methodology. Where in this clash of opinions do the successfully repeated demonstrations of psi powers by exceptionally gifted clairvoyants and physical mediums fit in – and should the current dearth of any such virtuosi affect the weight that should be accorded to past validations of psi? These are the matters that the speakers at this study day are asked to address.