Precognition

Japanese: 予知 - よち（英語表記）precognition

A term in parapsychology. Knowing in advance future events that are thought to be impossible to predict with inference based on current knowledge. It is one element that constitutes ESP (extra-sensory perception). Since ancient times, many cases of prophecy have been passed down, various forms of divination have been practiced as a technique for precognition, and there are also many reports of people having accidental precognitive experiences in their daily lives.

[Muneshige Otani]

Proof

American parapsychologist Lyne conducted an experiment to see if it was possible to predict the order of cards that would be randomized in the future. In order to eliminate the possibility that the subject's answers could affect the cards through PK (psychic powers), he used a method that incorporated temperature changes, which are thought to be beyond the reach of PK, into the experimental conditions, demonstrating the possibility of prediction.

[Muneshige Otani]

theory

The phenomenon of precognition poses difficult theoretical problems because it conflicts with the law of causality. To solve these problems, various hypotheses have been put forward, such as the existence of a range in the unconscious present, the reversibility or multidimensionality of time, or the existence of particles that can travel faster than the speed of light.

[Muneshige Otani]

[Reference items] | ESP | Parapsychology | Psychokinesis

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

超心理学の用語。現在もっている知識をもとにした推論では予測不可能と思われる未来のできごとをあらかじめ知ること。ESP（超感覚的知覚）を構成する一要素である。古来、多くの予言の事例が伝えられ、予知の技術として各種の占いが行われ、また日常生活のなかで偶発的に予知的体験をもったという報告も多い。

［大谷宗司］

証明

アメリカの超心理学者ラインは、将来ランダマイズrandomize（切り混(ま)ぜ）されるカードの順序をあらかじめ当てることができるかどうか実験した。そして、被験者の答がPK（念力）的にカードに影響する可能性を除くため、PKの及ばないと考えられる気温の変化を実験条件に組み込む方法を用い、予知の可能性を示した。

［大谷宗司］