Projects

Getting things in focus

In order to promote clear thinking about relevant data, C-FAR is developing a series of research tools. These include:

Frameworks: a project aimed at developing a standardised vocabulary for ontological claims (so we can compare points of difference or agreement between different perspectives), and a standardised methodology for separating the development of ontological models from scientific theories, so that the importance of key evidence can be highlighted in an appropriate way.
Lexscien: an online library hosting full-text-searchable copies of peer-reviewed journals dedicated to controversies in science and the humanities. See the Library of Exploratory Science (Lexscien).
Kuhnexus Casebase: a database of the best cases in each class of anomalous phenomenon (not yet online).

Towards a more inclusive cosmology

Our research is leading us towards the elaboration of a trans-disciplinary perspective in which we understand the real world to extend beyond what is merely physical (thus 'pluralistic'), but not to incorporate causes, processes and beings that are beyond comprehension or analysis (thus not 'supernatural'). In order to refine this perspective we are developing several component theories and models, including:

An ontology representing a naturalistic perspective that incorporates the reality of mental and spiritual phenomena and does not reduce them to by-products of physical phenomena (Tri-Pluralistic Naturalism).
A model of persons in which minds are real existents distinctly from bodies, but are part of nature and therefore fully accessible to study by the methods of science and rational enquiry (Naturalistic Structural Dualism).
An integrated framework for analysing the relationship between spiritual, psychic and mystical experiences (The Psychonetic Systems Model).

Helping others

The theoretical models we are developing make specific predictions about the nature of the mind-body and person-world relationships which, if valid, might lead to new ways of approaching spiritual development, and new ways of treating or supporting people in mentally challenging situations. Several projects are in planning to test these predictions and develop the potential of these new models. These include:

The potential of spiritual practices to prevent or mitigate the progress of neurological degeneration.
Therapeutic techniques for stimulating the release of specific beneficial endogenous compounds, e.g. those that have anti-psychotic properties or that can interrupt addictive behaviour.
New ways of managing the way in which stress impairs emotional judgement.
New ways of understanding and supporting people with autistic spectrum disorders.