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Ian Kidd is a doctoral postgraduate at Durham University, where he has been for the last five years. He is currently working on a book on the philosophy of Charles Fort. In this blog he reflects on the philosophical issues in anomalous phenomena - everything from perception to cognition, history and philosophy of science, and the classification of anomalies.


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Monday 09 July 2007

What Is This Thing, "The Paranormal"?

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Posted by Ian Kidd at 9:03pm

Terms like "paranormal" and "supernatural" mislead us into thinking that certain phenomena are outside or contrary to the usual "order of things". But these terms are usually manifestations of attempts to constrain and control our worldview. Better, perhaps, to shape and define our own realities? Read more

Thursday 28 June 2007

Against Certainty

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Posted by Ian Kidd at 11:24am

Certainty is often defended as something that should be prized and pursued - and not just by philosophers. But, arguably, certainty has motivated some very hostile attitudes. So should the idea of certainty be abandoned in favour of a more moderate attitude of uncertainty? Read more

Thursday 07 June 2007

The Laughing Fortean

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Posted by Ian Kidd at 4:30pm

Fort is known for his sense of humour, as much as for his antidogmatism and critical spirit. But is there any especial relationship between these aspects of his work? Read more

Monday 28 May 2007

Mystery and Wonder

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Posted by Ian Kidd at 4:01pm

Scientists often invoke a sense of 'wonder' at the natural world, yet then claim to offer explanations of it. Does science dissolve mystery and dispel wonder? Or should our spirit of inquiry be tempered by a sense of humility? Read more

Tuesday 22 May 2007

Strangeness, Imagination and Possibility

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Posted by Ian Kidd at 4:56pm

‘The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.’ Does this express the humility or pessimism of we humble human inquirers? And what should a Fortean make of it?  Read more

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