I sent this off to Cecil, but maybe someone out there has already checked this out:
I heard about this experiment on the radio awhile back that supposedly
measured the weight of a human soul. I suppose you’re recoiling in disgust
already, as it sounds like something straight out of the National Enquirer,
but apparently they were referring to this paper written in 1907 by a Duncan
MacDougall (I found it on the web at http://www.ghostweb.com/soul.html ).
Of course, the websites I’ve found this on didn’t mention any validation or
refutation of this particular experiment, nor I have seen anything else
about MacDougall. Is it A.) a hoax B.) experimental error C.) something
found in a few species he didn’t test D.) an unknown element of human
physiology or E.) circumstantial, but nevertheless possible evidence for a
human soul?
Actually, tho, I was looking for at least some confirmation of this particular experiment. Is this for real? Have there been any other studies? Any doctors out there with alternative explanations?
I recall reading of this experiment in an old Stranger Than Science paperback I had as a kid, by a reporter, fairly well known at the time – Frank Edwards, IIRC.
Although I doubt that the air in the lungs has any significant weight, as a previous respondent noted, that was allowed for in the weighing.
In another experiment, the researcher and his wife made love in a perfectly dark (i.e., light-tight) room for about an hour. At the conclusion of that time, he reported seeing a very faintly glowing ‘mist’ arise from both their bodies and float up and then through the ceiling of the room. I don’t recall whether the experiment was ever repeated. I believe the researcher received such scornful abuse after he publicized his findings that he declined.
If you knew what I know, everything would make sense; and if it didn’t, you’d know enough to know not to worry about it – The God of Somebody Else
I can’t give you a definitive answer right now on that particular experiment. However, think of this – we have much more sensitive equipment now. We also have people who are interested in this type of thing. Isn’t it likely that if there was any value to the claim, wouldn’t it have probably been duplicated using newer, better equipment?
I’m not saying that’s proof, and given time (that I don’t have right now) I could probably find out more about this subject, but it sure seems unlikely to be correct.
I agree completely that it seems likely the experiment would have been repeated, and that’s what I was wondering. I am not necessarily sure it would have been made public, though, as people experimenting with such things can easily be labelled as quacks and lose their funding.
Regardless, if you know of a specific place that would most likely be able to tell me, I’d appreciate the info. I’ve searched the web using standard search engines to no avail.
Well, I haven’t been around the last couple of days. My answer would be:
a) Are wee sure that dog’s sphincters work the same way as humans? Though I for one would assume they probably do.
b) Since the weight difference for humans was very small (3/4 of an ounce), it probably would have been smaller for a dog, and maybe undectatable by their instruments.
Ok, I asked the question of some folks I know. I didn’t get anything specific, but one (a doctor and generally all-around knowledegable guy) said the following:
“They were dismissed as experimental
error, although I forget exactly what the error was. If I recall, it was simply that the experiments were not blinded in any way, and the experimenter was introducing enough error to validate his hypothesis. The
experiments have never been successfully replicated.”
In other words, the guy who was pushing the idea was also doing the experiment, and knew what he wanted the outcome to be ahead of time. Even if he didn’t do anything consciously, that alone puts his results in question. The fact that it’s apparently never been replicated adds further weight against him.
When you pass on, your life will be judged according to the weight of your soul, should your soul weigh more than a feather, you will be sent back to the realm of the living, if not you will reincarnate as a higher life form.
Can’t remember where I first read/heard this, but it is what I thought this thread was about !!!