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What is Psionics?

Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden

Psionics is a broad field that encompasses the study and practice of using the mind to cause paranormal phenomena. It includes such practices as telekinesis, telepathy, and precognition. Those who practice psionics are called psychics. Psionics are commonly incorporated into works of fiction, especially in role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons®.

The term psi originated in 1942 with B.P. Wiesner and Robert H. Thouless. They wanted a word that would describe both extrasensory perception (ESP) and psychokinesis. ESP is the ability to sense things that are beyond the reach of the five senses, and psychokinesis is the ability to influence the physical world with the mind alone. Later, science-fiction editor John W. Campbell Jr. coined the term psionics in the February 1956 issue of his magazine, Astounding Science Fiction.

Telekinesis refers to moving object via mind power.
Telekinesis refers to moving object via mind power.

The word is a fusion of psi and electronics. Campbell wished to communicate the concept of mental powers working as reliably as electronic machines. In science fiction, psionics are generally treated almost as magic, and given very little in-depth explanation. The mind, writers tend to say, simply has more power than the common man would guess. Psionics just work, just like a light bulb or other electronic device.

There are two distinct areas of psionic study and practice. Psi-gamma, also known as passive psi, involves such mental feats as precognition and ESP. It is considered passive because it does not cause any direct change in the environment.

Precognition abilities are said to be able to predict major disasters, such as hurricanes or epic flooding.
Precognition abilities are said to be able to predict major disasters, such as hurricanes or epic flooding.

Psi-kappa, on the other hand, is commonly called active psi. It concerns mental abilities, such as telekinesis and transvection, that directly manifest themselves in the physical world. While precognition supposedly grants the user the ability to perceive events before they occur, it does not have any visible physical effect. Telekinesis, though, is said to allow the user to manipulate physical objects with only his mind, and the use of transvection is supposed to grant the power of levitation.

The common stereotype of a psychic is that they are all gypsy fortune tellers.
The common stereotype of a psychic is that they are all gypsy fortune tellers.

The reality of psionics is a much-debated topic. Most scientists have placed the field completely in the realm of the absurd, though there are many who either speculate about the possibilities or truly believe in the innate capacity of the human mind to accomplish feats far beyond the mundane. Self-proclaimed psychics often work to capitalize on their precognitive or clairvoyant abilities, real or imagined. Their claims often do not come true, causing many people to strongly doubt the psionic abilities of the mind. These doubts, however, are unlikely to dissuade the many who truly feel that the human mind has a vast amount of untapped potential to do great things.

Discussion Comments

medicchristy

@christym: It really comes down to this (for those who believe); everything exerts energy. You put out energy and the object puts out energy. There is an interaction that takes place between the object and yourself that results in telekinetic movement.

calabama71

@christym: Telekinesis is defined as “the production of motion in objects without contact or other physical means.”

I remember the first time I heard about telekinesis. It was while watching the movie “Carrie”. That was scary.

Telekinesis is considered a common type of paranormal phenomena. Basically, people who are said to have telekinetic abilities have the power to move objects merely through mental concentration.

christym

What is telekinesis?

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    • Telekinesis refers to moving object via mind power.
      By: Garrincha
      Telekinesis refers to moving object via mind power.
    • Precognition abilities are said to be able to predict major disasters, such as hurricanes or epic flooding.
      By: satori
      Precognition abilities are said to be able to predict major disasters, such as hurricanes or epic flooding.
    • The common stereotype of a psychic is that they are all gypsy fortune tellers.
      By: tomas del amo
      The common stereotype of a psychic is that they are all gypsy fortune tellers.