Why Psience Quest is a unique space for exploring mind, psi, and science
Psience Quest is an online forum for exploring parapsychology, consciousness, and their intersections with other sciences, philosophy, and spirituality. It is unique in occupying a serious space between denial and credulity.
To understand what sets Psience Quest apart, consider the two extremes it avoids. On one end are modern (nominal) skeptics who dogmatically reject psi, irreducible mind, the metaphysical, and the divine. In this view, the standard model of physics is essentially complete, leaving no room for such possibilities.
On the other end are those who embrace every unconventional idea simply because it is unconventional, uncritically accepting whatever aligns with a spiritual or mystical worldview.
Despite differing in motivation, both extremes share a common shortcoming: a failure to engage responsibly with the evidence.
By contrast, the Psience Quest community attempts — however imperfectly — to do exactly that.
We aim to integrate findings from psi and survival research — parapsychology — with related disciplines such as the philosophy of mind, quantum mechanics, and cosmology. Through this integration, we explore what these findings imply for the nature of reality and for our personal, spiritual, and ethical lives.
At its best, Psience Quest is a space for mutual respect, rigorous thinking, and open but critical inquiry. As a collective of fallible human beings, we don't always meet that ideal, but we strive toward it.
It should now be clear how Psience Quest differs from organized skepticism and uncritical mysticism. But we also differ from other common approaches:
- Religions: Rather than adherence to received doctrine and ritual, we are informed by evidence, reason, and exploration of possibilities. Religious adherents are welcome; proselytising is not.
- New Age spirituality: Our approach is more analytical, with a focus on critical thinking and evidential grounding. Yet like New Agers, our community draws spiritual insight from many traditions.
- Low-effort or spammy forums: We prioritize thoughtful discussions and meaningful contributions. Our focus is on sharing valuable resources and ideas, and engaging deeply with them.
If you're searching for a community where curiosity meets discipline, where minds stay open but not uncritical, and where respectful inquiry matters, Psience Quest may be your place.
Registration is free - all you need is an email address. We'd love for you to introduce yourself if you do join us.
Feel free to explore a little before, or instead of, deciding.