The supernatural world, and the idea of ghosts, is divided between skeptics and believers. As a matter of fact, one can’t turn on a scary movie, sit around a campfire, or walk out their door on Halloween night without hearing of such things. Although entertaining, this is unfortunate as many people in today’s day and age use these shows for more than they are meant to be used for. Many use them as fire to fuel their arguments while others dismiss them as “fake” because they don’t represent ghosts properly. Although seemingly importantly, the question shouldn’t be, are these shows and stories portraying ghosts correctly, but rather, are they even real. This question, are ghosts real, is an issue that both skeptics and believers have been pondering for years as either side really knows the truth of the matter. More notably, the issue holds some importance as either way, real or not, the idea of ghost’s forces one to question their own beliefs, feelings, and morals and face the idea of death head-on (Parra, 416).
As mentioned earlier, stories of ghosts can be traced to many different areas of life including movies, stories, and even ancient history. From depictions of ghosts in Shakespeare’s famous plays to Famous Films “Casper”, there is no escaping what has become quite easily one of the most questionable subjects in today’s day and age. Over time, these productions and publishing have led to continued inquiries and thus, the issue has developed. People on one side say that ghosts are real as they claim to have encounter such figures. People who don’t believe simply account them as made up and figments of our imagination. With hardcore evidence lacking and a world full of technology, either side has valid reasons for their belief...
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...ghost is sure to continue, there is always a place to see eye-to-eye. As for now, it is possible that the common ground simply be both sides agree that ghosts, real or not, come from another realm that isn’t Earth. Whether one is a believer or not, both sides have, for the most part, been taught or think that ghostly images are not of this world as they are dead. This, although small, is a great place to start on gaping the debate over the realness of ghost or ghost-like figures. In addition, it might be smart to simply agree that we need to further define what is considered a ghost as this could help people understand where they stand on the matter. No matter what the outcome, let’s keep true to our beliefs, morals, and feelings as this truly the core of the whole debate. Let us chose the path that best suits us as in the end – we are our own leaders of our life.
The University of Maryland has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College. Built between 1804 and 1812, The Rossborough Inn is the oldest building on campus today (Ghost Tour, 2). With its history, it is no surprise that the Inn has been a hotspot for ghost activity. Knowing that there have been numerous reports of ghosts at Rossborough, I visited the Inn to ask current employees at the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, located in Rossborough Inn, if they themselves had experienced anything bizarre or if they had known others who had. I entered the small office where three women were talking and with their permission asked about their experiences with ghosts at Rossborough. Upon asking my question, all three smiled, although shaking their head, they indicated they had not. However, they all had heard of the stories, and one of the women replied and told me to speak with the University Archivist. She told me that she has spoken with the archivist, and upon learning the stories, she said that she “got freaked out and really wanted to go home.”
As I interviewed Annie Filban about her personal experience with spirits, I found to my judgment that it seemed she based a lot of her belief in her story upon faith. Even though she believed something was in fact out of the norm, and was making peculiar movements and noise in her home, she was still skeptical with some of her statements. Filban responded on different occasions to “I don’t know” and “I guess,” which lead me to believe her belief is not based upon evidence as much as it relies on her faith.
The article “Cinema Fiction vs. Physics Reality: Ghosts, Vampires, and Zombies”, written by Costas J. Efthimiou and Sohang Gandhi. The authors try to explain or prove that ghosts, vampires and zombies do not exist through scientific methods and explanations. The authors main argument to show that these claim are false, they say” we point out inconsistencies associated with the ghost, vampire, and zombie mythologies as portrayed in popular films and folklore and give practical explanations to some of their features” (Efthimiou and Gandhi “Cinema Fiction vs. Physics Reality: Ghosts, Vampires, and Zombies”) Their argument is obvious that they will point out the
There are many theories as to how someone or something becomes a ghost. This is called Paranormal which means beyond normal and scientific name is parapsychology, which means study of interactions between living organisms and their external environment that seem to transcend the known physical laws of nature (Britannica, 147). In 1920, Dr. William McDougall was the first scientific psychical who research about Paranormal Activity (Stefanik, 2000). According to Stefanik, Paranormal experiences often seem weird, uncanny, or unnatural. Typically they are quite rare but there are a few exceptional "stars" such as who have regular paranormal experiences and may show seemingly consistent paranormal ability (Daniel, 2004). Different types of scientists who researched about paranormal activity was spiritualists. The scientists accepted paranormal to be real. There are believers and nonbelievers about the paranormal phenomenon. Discussion about parapsychological phenomena has assumed emotional overtones, unsuitable to scientific discipline, and outspoken but contradictory opinions are still voiced (Cauz, 2010, p.147)
Discussions about possessions interest me, or maybe it’s discussion about ghosts that interest me. I have read a few Japanese ghost stories that sent me running for the hills. It didn’t help some of those stories were animated at times, adding another creepy element beside the stories themselves. I hoped for a good, scary from reading Spirits of the Hanged. Before discussing the tale, I wanted to talk about the little prelude pertaining to Yuan Ch’an. This prelude is nice and ironic but also reminded me of The Horse Mountain Ghost (THMG). It’s practically the same thing with a different background/context. I found that pretty funny that the stories end with the creature saying, “I am a (demon, ghost, thing )” then they change into the creature they described. One last comment, the mentioning of “the worst” type of ghost being people who hanged themselves. This chapter talks about how the women are “ill-treated” which I wanted to say how obviously there should be a fairy tale or some kind of adaptation based on
Envision yourself as encircled by strange, yet terrifying and evil spirits that trouble you in your worst nightmares. The spirits could desire something from you. In fact, they could aid you in locale of frightening you. Should you attend to them? What do you contemplate they are trying to notify you? In one of the inquiries above, notice the ironical use of the word “fact” that endeavors to obscure the fictitious nature of ghosts. It displays that the meaning of the word “ghost” is equivocal. In supplementary words, the word “ghost” is multivalued, that way that ghosts can purpose in extra than one way.
In Hamlet and the Ghost Again by John D. Rea, the author gains credibility by implementing ethos and refuting other authors’ claims, essentially strengthening his own. Rea begins by asserting his claim that Hamlet’s belief in the authenticity of his father’s Ghost is questionable and proceeds to provide historical evidence along with strong analysis. By acknowlegding the numerous and redundant works published pertaining to Hamlet, the author strengthens his argument by suggesting that his article raises a new idea, intriguing the audience causing them to read more, further establishing his credibility. The author cites a leading scientist of the 17th century who maintains that apparitions and ghosts of the dead are not the souls of the dead,
Ghost- a vision of a dead person that is believed to appear or become visible to the living as a vague image. There have been many cases in reality where one sees the ghost of their deceased loved ones or encounter some sort of paranormal activity in their life. “Proof” by David Auburn plays around with the “Ghost story” in his play to represent identity, memory of Catherine.
As long as one can remember, paranormal beliefs have always existed in human society. They are living in every man’s childhood and in every corner of human’s life. From the burning belief about Santa Claus’s gifts under a Christmas’s tree in the morning to a scary game about Bloody Mary and her coming back from the dead, it seems that people cannot help but draw themselves to these stories. Even when these beliefs fade, there would be a new one that eventually shows up. No matter how much science has progressed, the belief in paranormal phenomena still remains in society. Eventually, the question about paranormal phenomena seems pale in comparison to the human’s undying belief about such things. It is really hard to pinpoint an exact cause for human’s belief in the paranormal for only one cause is not enough; however, it is sure that psychological, sociological, and biological factors play an enormous role that contributes to this belief.
“The strange thing about the paranormal is that no matter how often [a person proves] it, it remains unproven” (Chopra). Given personal experience and evidence by professionals that have dedicated their lives to find answers regarding the paranormal and the afterlife. There will always be skeptics so long as there are humans with their own thoughts and opinions. Despite what skeptics say,ghosts exist; there are several eyewitness accounts, religious traditions, and traditional cultural stories that support the paranormal.
Ghosts, demons, mythological spirits are all supernatural creatures/elements in every movie, TV show, and story. Many supernatural elements are either very helpful or very dangerous. In The Revelation by Flannery O’connor Mrs Turpin, an ordinary woman with a kind and gentle face but with a mind that judges others, is revealed truth and knowledge by watching spirits going up to heaven. In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles Oedipus the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta has been order to be left on the mountainside to die because of a prophecy. Oedipus is then revealed “The Revelation” of the prophecy and at the end he is left with only pain and despair. Supernatural elements are important in every story, it creates mood and aurora around the reader and it makes them want to read more.
Ghosts, as with any other misunderstood group or people, have been preyed upon by others without understanding. The lack of knowledge about ghosts and haunting activity has led people astray as to what they really are. What Hollywood and television portrays is very inaccurate and cannot be relied upon as truthful. They show these spirits of the dead as being evil in nature, filled with malice and harmful intent. But that this is not the case. The field of paranormal activity is amazing. It has caught the imagination of people from every walk of life. It has always interested me and has influenced me to pick this as the topic for my research. Through this research I wish to uncover the truth about the existence of ghosts. I also wish to correct the wrong notions that people have about ghosts and enlighten non-believers.
Are ghosts real? That is the question that most of society deliberates day after day. The true definition of a ghost is a soul or spirit of a deceased individual that can appear in visible form or other manifestations to the living. Ghosts are of the most common paranormal belief in the world. Most people believe in ghosts because of a personal experience, whether that was seeing or sensing an unexplained presence. Who wouldn’t want to believe that our beloved family members are looking for us?
For many years, people have debated whether or not spirits are real. Some people get scared at the fact that there might be something unknown lurking in their house in the middle of the night making their footsteps known to everyone in it. Maybe that person feels watched upon or feel some kind of presence in their home, or even sees shadows moving their way through rooms. Different people around the world have their own opinions based on religion and experiences when talking about angels, demons, and the spirits that have life after death. New technology is getting closer to detecting these energies happening in the world today. The history of haunting dates back many years, and more people want to get involved because of the new technology.
century, ghost hunting is almost as scientific as physics. Ghosts are now normally categorized into one of three groups: a residual haunting, a spirit that lived as a human , or a spirit that never lived as a human (Killen, 1).