Parascience
The prefix "para-" means: beside or beyond. Parasciences may be contrasted to
"mainstream sciences" (cf., Eberlein, 1993) as sciences beside or beyond normal
sciences.
There may be very different ways to understand parasciences:
1. As in parapsychology, in which phenomena such as telepathy are supposed along with other occult phenomena, which are against fundamental assumptions in mainstream science. This meaning of parascience is not identical with alternative literature although the borders between these concepts are fluent.
2. As in paralinguistics, which is the part of linguistics,
which examines phenomena accompanying linguistic acts, such as mimics and
gestures. Here we are dealing with real problems, recognized by science, which
are in in the borderline in relation to other phenomena in the field. [If
parapsychological phenomena are seen as real may parapsychology be understood
the same way as paralinguistics is understood].
3. As in paramedical and para-librarian professions: Semiprofessionals or
borderline professionals (example: Nettlefold, 1989). (Cf.,
Paraprofessionals).
Literature:
Eberlein, G. L. (1993). Mainstream Sciences vs. Parascience: Toward an Old Dualism? Journal of Scientific Exploration, 7(1), 39-48.
Nettlefold, B. (1989). Paraprofessionalism in Librarianship. International Library Review, 21, 519-531.
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 01-06-2006