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| A '''ghost''' is usually defined as the apparition of a deceased person, which frequently carries the deceased person's likeness and is experienced in association with the person's former habitats. The word "Ghost" may also refer to the ] or ] of a deceased person, or to any spirit or demon.<ref>http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#g Parapsychological Association, glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006</ref><ref>http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#g Parapsychological Association, glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006</ref><ref name="thefreedictionary">http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ghost Retrieved December 13 2006</ref> Ghosts are often associated with ], which according to the ] is "The more or less regular occurrence of paranormal phenomena associated with a particular locality (especially a building) and usually attributed to the activities of a discarnate entity; the phenomena may include ], ] disturbances, cold drafts, sounds of steps and voices, and various odors."<ref>http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#h Parapsychological Association, Glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006</ref> | A '''ghost''' is usually defined as the apparition of a deceased person, which frequently carries the deceased person's likeness and is experienced in association with the person's former habitats. The word "Ghost" may also refer to the ] or ] of a deceased person, or to any spirit or demon.<ref>http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#g Parapsychological Association, glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006</ref><ref>http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#g Parapsychological Association, glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006</ref><ref name="thefreedictionary">http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ghost Retrieved December 13 2006</ref> Ghosts are often associated with ], which according to the ] is "The more or less regular occurrence of paranormal phenomena associated with a particular locality (especially a building) and usually attributed to the activities of a discarnate entity; the phenomena may include ], ] disturbances, cold drafts, sounds of steps and voices, and various odors."<ref>http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#h Parapsychological Association, Glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006</ref> | ||
| Ghosts are scientifically controversial phenomen. Many people believe they are real spirits of the deceased, while others believe ghosts are ] (and thus unreal). The term ''ghost'' has been replaced by ''apparition'' in the scientific field of ], because |
Ghosts are scientifically controversial phenomen. Many people believe they are real spirits of the deceased, while others believe ghosts are ] (and thus unreal). The term ''ghost'' has been replaced by ''apparition'' in the scientific field of ], because the word ''ghost'' is deemed insufficiently precise.<ref>http://parapsych.org/glossary_a_d.html Parapsychological Association, Glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006, see entries on ''ghost'' and ''apparition''</ref> | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
Revision as of 22:45, 19 December 2006
A ghost is usually defined as the apparition of a deceased person, which frequently carries the deceased person's likeness and is experienced in association with the person's former habitats. The word "Ghost" may also refer to the spirit or soul of a deceased person, or to any spirit or demon. Ghosts are often associated with haunting, which according to the Parapsychological Association is "The more or less regular occurrence of paranormal phenomena associated with a particular locality (especially a building) and usually attributed to the activities of a discarnate entity; the phenomena may include apparitions, poltergeist disturbances, cold drafts, sounds of steps and voices, and various odors."
Ghosts are scientifically controversial phenomen. Many people believe they are real spirits of the deceased, while others believe ghosts are supernatural (and thus unreal). The term ghost has been replaced by apparition in the scientific field of parapsychology, because the word ghost is deemed insufficiently precise.
History
Historically, ghosts have often been thought to be looking for vengeance, or perhaps the ghost was imprisioned on earth for bad things they did during life. Most cultures have ghost stories in their mythologies. Many stories from the Middle Ages and the Romantic era rely on the macabre and the fantastic, and ghosts are a major theme in literature from those eras.
Ghost stories date back to ancient times, and can be found in many different cultures. The Chinese philosopher, Mo Tzu (470-391 BC) is quoted as having said:
"The way to find out whether anything exists or not is to depend on the testimony of the ears and eyes of the multitude. If some have heard it or some have seen it then we have to say it exists. If no one has heard it and no one has seen it then we have to say it does not exist. So, then, why not go to some village or some district and inquire? If from antiquity to the present, and since the beginning of man, there are men who have seen the bodies of ghosts and spirits and heard their voices, how can we say that they do not exist? If none have heard them and none have seen them, then how can we say they do? But those who deny the existence of the spirits say: "Many in the world have heard and seen something of ghosts and spirits. Since they vary in testimony, who are to be accepted as really having heard and seen them?" Mo Tzu said: As we are to rely on what many have jointly seen and what many have jointly heard, the case of Tu Po is to be accepted."
(note: King Hsuan (827-783 BC) executed his minister, Tu Po, on false charges even after being warned that Tu Po's ghost would seek revenge. Three years later, according to historical chronicles, Tu's ghost shot and killed Hsuan with a bow and arrow before an assembly of feudal lords)"
One of the earliest known ghost "sightings" in the west took place in Athens, Greece. Pliny the Younger (c. 63 - 113 AD) described it in a letter to Sura: Athenodoros Cananites (c. 74 BC – 7 AD), a Stoic philosopher, decided to rent a large, Athenian house, to investigate widespread rumours that it was haunted. Athenodoros staked out at the house that night, and, sure enough, a dishevelled, aged spectre, bound at feet and hands with rattling chains, eventually "appeared". The spirit then beckoned for Athenodoros to follow him; Athenodoros complied, but the ghost soon vanished. The philosopher marked the spot where the old man had disappeared, and, on the next day, advised the magistrates to dig there. The man's shackled bones were reportedly uncovered when this was done. After a proper burial, the hauntings ceased.
Very detailed information about ghosts is given in Garuda Purana. How ghosts fit into this worldview is shown here.
Skeptical analysis
Sound waves with frequencies lower than 20 hertz are called infrasound and are normally inaudible, but British scientists Richard Lord and Richard Wiseman have concluded that infrasound can cause humans to feel a "presence" in the room, or unexplained feelings of anxiety or dread.
See also
References
- http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#g Parapsychological Association, glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006
- http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#g Parapsychological Association, glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006
- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ghost Retrieved December 13 2006
- http://www.parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#h Parapsychological Association, Glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006
- http://parapsych.org/glossary_a_d.html Parapsychological Association, Glossary of key words frequently used in parapsychology, Retrieved December 13 2006, see entries on ghost and apparition
- http://www.cic.sfu.ca/nacc/articles/legalmohist/mozi_mei/wadegiles/momei_31wg1.html The Ethical and Political Works of Motse Book VIII, Chapter XXXI "On Ghosts (III) Electronic republication of the translation by W. P. Mei (London: Probsthain, 1929) Retrieved Dec 19, 2006
- http://www.siu.edu/news/ghosts.html
- http://www.bartleby.com/9/4/1083.html
- "Sounds like terror in the air". Sydney Morning Herald. 2003-9-9.
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