The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal

Author:   Chris French ,  Richard Wiseman
Publisher:   MIT Press Ltd
ISBN:  

9780262553025


Pages:   416
Publication Date:   01 April 2025
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
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The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal


Overview

An accessible and gratifying introduction to the world of paranormal beliefs and bizarre experiences. Ghostly encounters, alien abduction, reincarnation, talking to the dead, UFO sightings, inexplicable coincidences, out-of-body and near-death experiences. Are these legitimate phenomena? If not, how should we go about understanding them? In this fascinating book, Chris French investigates paranormal claims to discover what lurks behind this 'weird shit.' French provides authoritative, evidence-based explanations for a wide range of superficially mysterious phenomena, and then goes further to draw out lessons with wider applications to many other aspects of modern society where critical thinking is urgently needed. Using academic, comprehensive, logical, and, at times, mathematical approaches, The Science of Weird Shit convincingly debunks ESP, communicating with the dead, and alien abduction claims, among other phenomena. All the while, however, French maintains that our belief in such phenomena is neither ridiculous nor trivial; if anything, such claims can tell us a great deal about the human mind if we pay them the attention they are due. Filled with light-bulb moments and a healthy dose of levity, The Science of Weird Shit is a clever, memorable, and gratifying read you won t soon forget.

Full Product Details

Author:   Chris French ,  Richard Wiseman
Publisher:   MIT Press Ltd
Imprint:   MIT Press
Weight:   0.369kg
ISBN:  

9780262553025


ISBN 10:   0262553023
Pages:   416
Publication Date:   01 April 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Richard Wiseman Chapter 1: How I got here Chapter 2: Weird Science Chapter 3: Waking Nightmares Chapter 4: High Spirits, Part 1: Ghostly Encounters Chapter 5: High Spirits, Part 2: Communicating with the Dead Chapter 6: Fantastic Memories of Alien Encounters Chapter 7: Many Happy Returns? Chapter 8: Dying to Know the Truth Chapter 9: No Such Thing as Coincidence? Chapter 10: Tricks of the Mind Chapter 11: Sceptical Enquiries Chapter 12: Dreams of the Future Chapter 14: Lessons for (the) Living

Reviews

“This fascinating inquiry . . . provides scientific explanations for such otherworldly phenomena as alien encounters, déjà vu, and ghosts . . . The science intrigues . . .Skeptics will feel vindicated.” —Publishers Weekly


Author Information

Chris French is Emeritus Professor and Head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit in the Psychology Department at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a Patron of Humanists UK. He is the coauthor of Anomalistic Psychology: Exploring Paranormal Belief and Experience.

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Latest Reading Guide

NOV RG 20252

 

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