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From: gsmith@cartan.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.philosophy,net.origins,net.sci
Subject: Re: PSI:  Yes I see it / No you don't
Message-ID: <13942@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Thu, 22-May-86 08:45:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.13942
Posted: Thu May 22 08:45:13 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 24-May-86 21:30:24 EDT
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Reply-To: gsmith@cartan.UUCP (Gene Ward Smith)
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Organization: University of California, Berkeley
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In article <8300@kestrel.ARPA> king@kestrel.UUCP writes:

>Evolution theory predicts that if it exists and is useful it would be
>the norm as those with the ability would outbreed those without.

>In short, every psi ability I have heard described would be
>sufficiently useful in the paleolithic world that a person who claims
>psi exists must explain why it is not the norm, like sight and
>hearing.

   This is a good point (otherwise I wouldn't have thought of it too). But
it doesn't prove the case. Other possibilities are:

    (1) Psi exists, but is so weak it is almost useless.
    (2) Psi exists, but it has just recently evolved and is slowly
    growing stronger.
    (3) Psi exists, but is always associated with other genetic factors
    which are negative.
    (4) Psi exists, but is not inheritable and so evolutionary theory does
    not apply. (If you think the last is impossible, assume like Sunny that
    souls exist and incarnate in bodies. Your argument then falls apart).

ucbvax!brahms!gsmith    Gene Ward Smith/UCB Math Dept/Berkeley CA 94720
        Fifty flippant frogs / Walked by on flippered feet
    And with their slime they made the time / Unnaturally fleet.