People always tried to explain the world around them. Every phenomenon, process or event should have meaning and logical reason. This statement is one of stimulus for progress in any scientific field. Actually, all the science originated from the mysteries and searches for the clues. But many centuries or even thousands years ago people of course could not find answers to every question they asked of think of. That is why the mythology appeared. It provided tribes and ancient states with simple and clear answers to the origin of the Universe, genesis of humankind and explanation of natural disasters. Gods or demons were responsible for everything, which had taken place on the Earth or in the sky. Apart from the powerful deities there were also magical creatures including ghosts. One of the first mentions about ghosts refer to the 1st century AD. According to Pliny the Younger the ghost was seen in one of the Athens houses and reminded and old bearded enchained man. The first records about the poltergeist were made in Germany in 856 (Ghost History). As it can be seen the history of ghosts amounts to almost two thousand years. Despite the fact that for this time the science has developed greatly there are still people who believe in ghosts.
According to Sharon Hill, between one-third and one-half of Americans believe that ghost exist. Furthermore, there are about 2,000 groups or organizations, which deal with ghost hunting. Such people have different documents such as photos and records to prove the existence of these creatures. But officially science does not acknowledge the fact that ghost have ever existed. And there are many scientifically proved reasons to be on the researchers’ site.
First of all, most of the ghost hunters’ stories involve personal experience about the meeting with the ghost. However, feelings and emotions of the hunter cannot be documented and cannot serve as credible scientific source. The story can be only author’s imagination and nothing more. Basically, it is not trustworthy.
The invention of photography also added popularity to ghost and their believers. On many old as well as new photos an orb can be seen. For those, who believe in ghosts, such an orb serves as clear evidence of the ghost existence. From the scientifically point of view, anything can be the reason for this effect: an insect, flash or dust. So, the orbs on the photos cannot be considered as sufficient reason to prove that ghosts are real.
Thirdly, ghost hunters often have special equipment, which can detect the creature. But it is usually a self-made gadget, which does not have any certificate and was not tested in the laboratory. Some parts of such gear, of course, are developed by scientists but they are used in different way. Infrared cameras, for instance, detect the degree of warmth and distinguish hotter objects from the colder ones. But they cannot detect ghosts because there is no proof that ghosts’ temperature differ from the temperature of the room or a man. The same story is with electromagnetic field detectors. They do not help to reveal ghosts; they just measure the electromagnetic waves.
Finally, hunters may possess sound recordings made in a room where the ghost probably lives. Sometimes, a strange voice appears on the film or on the digital recorder when the investigation is made. However, the space where the experiment or hunting is made is not isolated and it many outer noises can distract the sound image of the premises. It is about physics and not about the paranormal phenomena (Radford, 2011).
Still, many people continue to believe in kind and evil ghost that can either help or harm them. They do so not because they do not trust scientists and researchers but because the human nature envisages the desire to shift the responsibility for misfortune of luck onto others. It is much easier to find the reason of one’s own troubles in the actions of others, even when “others” do not exist in the real world. Besides, many people need to believe that someone else can control their life.
On the other hand, the faith in ghosts is to some extend ineradicable because of human phobias and fears. Someone is motivated b the fear of unknown; it makes him or her to investigate the circumstances and find out the answer. But others can be depressed and frustrated with this feeling. It makes them to look for the easiest explanations for strange things, which happen to them. So, belief in ghost can have psychological and cultural grounds.
Despite the faith in ghost is widespread and exist in many cultures there is no scientific proof of their existence. Of course, science in the current state of art cannot explain everything but still it is much more developed than two thousand years ago and it leaves less and less chance to doubt that there could be a mistake and were are surrounded by ghosts.
Works Cited
“Ghost History.” Discovery Channel, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. http://www.yourdiscovery.com/paranormal/spirit_world/history/index.shtml
Radford, Benjamin. “Real-Life ‘Paranormal Activity’: Are Ghost Real?”. Discovery News., 21 Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2012.
