What fears does modern science remove, as Epicurean physics did in antiquity?

    The Star Wars/Trek mentions made me think of how prominent supernatural or pseudoscience is ingrained into pop culture. Just off the top of my head...

    • Ghost (w Demi Moore)
    • The Sixth Sense
    • Touched by an Angel (TV)
    • Long Island Medium (reality tv)
    • The Exorcist
    • The Shining
    • Poltergeist

    And so on and so on ...

    It makes a good story.

    Since we live in the material world in which "telepathy" equals guessing...the usual method, although much slower and basically requiring consent (in comparison), to find out what someone is thinking is to ask them to share their thoughts (lol). :saint:

    Here's another Google search (take it or leave it, whether or not these tips will work):

    Google said:

    To gently guide someone towards sharing their true thoughts, ask open-ended questions that invite a more detailed response and encourage them to share their feelings and perspectives. Consider using phrases like "What's been on your mind lately?" or "What's your perspective on this?" Offer a safe space for them to share, showing respect and understanding.

    Here's a more detailed breakdown:

    1. Open-Ended Questions:

    • "What's been on your mind?": This is a general way to invite someone to share their thoughts.
    • "How are you feeling?": This focuses on emotional state and can help them articulate their feelings.
    • "What's your perspective on this?": This encourages them to share their opinion and insights.
    • "What are your thoughts on...": This invites them to share their opinions on a specific topic.
    • "How do you see things?": This encourages them to share their point of view.

    2. Showing Respect and Understanding:

    • Active listening:

      Pay attention to their words and body language, and show that you're engaged in the conversation.

    • Non-judgmental approach:

      Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, even if they are different from your own.

    • Empathy:

      Try to understand their perspective and feelings, even if you don't agree with them.

    • Validation:

      Acknowledge their feelings and experiences, even if they are difficult to hear.

    3. Guiding the Conversation:

    • Reflect their statements: Paraphrase what they've said to show you're listening and understanding.
    • Ask follow-up questions: If they're hesitant to share, you can gently ask more specific questions to guide them towards sharing their thoughts.
    • Use "why" questions: "Why do you feel that way?" or "Why do you think that's important?" can help them explore their reasoning.

    By combining open-ended questions, a respectful approach, and active listening, you can create a safe space for someone to share their true thoughts and feelings.

    On a slightly more serious note, inspired by Joshua 's post, I would offer that the paranormal and pseudoscience feed an answer to the question many seem to ask: Is this all there is?

    That question presupposes there's something "less than" about our physical, natural, material universe. It's somehow "not enough". There has to be more than just this or nothing has any meaning.

    For me, Epicurus (and I would offer, even the general secular and scientific perspective writ large) has an answer to that longing that "something more" in that it's not needed. The magnificence and multifarious nature of the universe is enough to feel awe and wonder.

    It brings to mind: "since such a course is of service to all who take up natural science, I, who devote to the subject my continuous energy and reap the calm enjoyment of a life like this, have prepared for you just such an epitome and manual of the doctrines as a whole."

    Gaze on Yosemite Valley, stare up at the stars at night, breathe in the air deep in the woods or the salt-spray off the ocean while standing on a cliff. Try telling me than that "Is this all there is?" Yes, this is it -- and *it* is magnificent!

    Quote from Kalosyni
    Quote from Don

    how prominent supernatural or pseudoscience is ingrained into pop culture...

    ...And so on and so on ...

    And Don your list didn't even include Dune, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc.

    Dating myself now, but can't resist mentioning "Escape to Witch Mountain"--much loved at age 7.

    Also: Close Encounters of the Third Kind...fun mix of science and pseudo.

    Quote from Don

    On a slightly more serious note, inspired by Joshua 's post, I would offer that the paranormal and pseudoscience feed an answer to the question many seem to ask: Is this all there is?

    That question presupposes there's something "less than" about our physical, natural, material universe. It's somehow "not enough". There has to be more than just this or nothing has any meaning.

    I think this question happens because of religion, which focuses on heaven, and it makes the world and the earth as something less than heaven/God...so "Is this all there is?" is a remnent left by religious thinking.

    Also, the "something less than" is that there are certain elements of true reality that are cumbersome and slow - but magic and a magical world (which would include telepathy) gives you powers and speeds things up, makes things possible that you couldn't do otherwise. While in reality (as I wrote in post 27 above) without telepathy you have to go the slow and difficult way to find out what someone is thinking.