Martin Gardner, (October 21, 1914 to May 22, 2010) is a revered name in scientific literature. He had a regular column in Scientific American for decades, in which he presented challenging mind games. And he is the author of many books, explaining science to a general audience. Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science ( 1957) is just one of many books Gardner wrote.
Gardner especially focused on false claims of scientific significance, as in the case of the research, of J. B. Rhine of Duke University. Rhine's research on which claims of paranormal powers were based, is held up as an example of sloppy research techniques. Nor was Gardner impressed with Rhine's claims to have demonstrated anpsi, a word Rhine used for animal clairvoyance and telepathic powers.
What Gardner cannot account for is the documented cases in which a cat or other species finds their way home through geography they have never been in before, Before the use of implanted id tags, the standard response to these recurring stories is that the animal presenting itself at a home only looked like a previous lost pet. Now with the id tags, there can be no doubt that these things happen. The cases are fairly described inexplicable of course. They may prove nothing, except an innate talent that is not needed most of the time, and a talent which may be rare even in the species in which it appears.
He has the same disdain for the possibility of telepathic powers in people. In one argument I recall reading in a book of Gardner's, he mentions that there is not a statistically significant amount of success in people practicing ESP, for it to be considered a proven human ability. There IS a significant number when you pool all the people together, according to Gardner, but not a statistically significant result per individual. With his clear and rational mind, he is incapable of appreciating a fresh idea,--- that for instance humanity itself is alive, and that at the level of large groups is exactly where you would find an a talent for ESP.
All this does not mean that Martin Gardner is not a wonderful writer. His books are always fun and informative. He is a valuable popularizer of science. Among the scientists that are leaders in their fields, however, you often do not observe Martin's cocky assurance about the boundaries of knowledge in the world of man.
What Gardner cannot account for is the documented cases in which a cat or other species finds their way home through geography they have never been in before, Before the use of implanted id tags, the standard response to these recurring stories is that the animal presenting itself at a home only looked like a previous lost pet. Now with the id tags, there can be no doubt that these things happen. The cases are fairly described inexplicable of course. They may prove nothing, except an innate talent that is not needed most of the time, and a talent which may be rare even in the species in which it appears.
He has the same disdain for the possibility of telepathic powers in people. In one argument I recall reading in a book of Gardner's, he mentions that there is not a statistically significant amount of success in people practicing ESP, for it to be considered a proven human ability. There IS a significant number when you pool all the people together, according to Gardner, but not a statistically significant result per individual. With his clear and rational mind, he is incapable of appreciating a fresh idea,--- that for instance humanity itself is alive, and that at the level of large groups is exactly where you would find an a talent for ESP.
All this does not mean that Martin Gardner is not a wonderful writer. His books are always fun and informative. He is a valuable popularizer of science. Among the scientists that are leaders in their fields, however, you often do not observe Martin's cocky assurance about the boundaries of knowledge in the world of man.
Comments
Post a Comment