What are ghosts? A classification.

[John Jackson]

We often get asked things like "do you believe in ghosts?" and are expected to give a yes/no answer. The problem with this is that it doesn't define what a ghost actually is!

So, and I'm appealing to those who've an interest in investigating hauntings etc., what are the definitions and classifications of ghosts?

I know there's the common notions of disembodied spirit (sentient), replay ghosts (non-sentient), and other notions of inanimate objects being ghosts; ghost ships for example.

Is there a reasonable taxonomy of ghosts so that we can distinguish between the features of the different types which would give rise to (possibly) different explanations for their existence or people's experience of them?

[bindeweede]

John

Is this the organisation Dr. B worked with at Muncaster Castle?

http://www.parascience.org.uk/investigations/munc/munc.htm

[John Jackson]

Not specifically - I'm just thinking that if we classify ghosts into some precise definitions then we can get a better understanding of what we're referring to when we mention 'ghosts'.

I'm hoping someone like Dr B, MRT, or perhaps Dave or Nicky of PSI has done this to give us a kick start.

Then we can tackle questions like if a person sees a ghost of a dead relative it's fairly easy to come up with a psychological explanation for it but if several people have seen a replay ghost independently then we're dealing with a different type of 'ghost' which may require a different explanation.

[MRT]

Dr B and Parascience ... wait until sees that! :smiley:

I've mulled over the 'what is a ghost' question many times. Here are some of my musings:

http://www.assap.org/newsite/articles/What%20is%20a%20haunting.html
http://www.assap.org/newsite/htmlfiles/Language.html
http://www.assap.org/newsite/htmlfiles/Types%20of%20ghost.html
http://www.assap.org/newsite/articles/Recording%20ghosts.html

and if that lot hasn't bored you to death, try:

http://www.assap.org/newsite/articles/Culture.html

That'll teach you to ask my opinion on ghosts! :smiley:

[John Jackson]

Excellent stuff Maurice - just the sort of thing I was looking for. O0

I'm addicted to it now! ;D

I'll comment more when I've read more. There are some really good points raised there.

[Dr B]

Just for the record I have never, ever, worked with 'Parascience' :smiley:

I have given them advice from time to time....but no more.

In addition - Parascience have 'never' done any scientific work at Muncaster Castle.