John Alexander

[Photo Courtesy of Shelia Massey]
John Alexander, Ph.D.

Stepping Back: Discovering the Nature of Phenomenology

Abstract:

Five decades of personal observation of various phenomena have provided tantalizing clues, but no resolution as to the nature of each. This presentation suggests it is time to reevaluate these diverse topics. This process should begin by divesting investigators of the delimiting parameters that each phenomenon has established. Experience has shown that definitions are frequently prematurely established, leading to the potential exclusion of data necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon.

The recommended approach would assemble a comprehensive list of as many observations of anomalous incidents as possible, albeit without attribution of values. This will be difficult as scientists have a tendency to begin all investigations by establishing the limits of their area of study so that the study may be adequately bounded. While bounding may work in most areas of science, I argue that this is exactly the reason why so little progress has been made in studying phenomenology.

Once the observations have been posted, commonalities should be identified regardless of origin. Macro-pattern analysis should then be applied to determine inter and intra-disciplinary common factors. The hypothesis is that previously undisclosed patterns will emerge and provide the underpinnings of an interdisciplinary study that may yield answers to many of anomalous observations. It is further recommended that this process be initiated in an intensive, sequestered environment that facilitates comprehensive interaction between participants.

Stepping back infers the ability of observers to disassociate themselves from preconceived notions about each phenomenon and explore for more fundamental themes that may be discovered.

Bio

Col. Alexander is the author of recently published Winning the War, a sequel to Future War: Non-lethal Weapons in Twenty-first-century Warfare, and of The Warrior’s Edge.  In 1980 his seminal article The New Mental Battlefield, describing how psychic warfare might be employed on the battlefield, was published in Military Review.  As a staff officer in the early 1980s working directly under Gen. Burt Stubblebine, Commanding General for the US Army Intelligence and Security Command, Col. Alexander was prominent in INSCOM’s programs for exploring human potentials.

After his military retirement, he worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he developed the concept of Non_Lethal Defense, which he briefed to senior defense, industry and academic officials.  Politically, his work involved meetings with Members of Congress, White House and National Security Council staff, and the Director of Central Intelligence. He has considerable experience working with classified programs dealing with many esoteric arenas.  He recently returned from Afganistan where he was a mentor to the Ministry of Defense. He currently is the science director for a private research organization in Las Vegas, NV. Col Alexander is a director on the board of the International Remote Viewing Association.