Believing In Impossible Things

Whether it be in the realm of paranormal, spiritual, emotional, or other aspects, I can guarantee that each one of us believes in something which another person would say is impossible. Most may say that believing in impossible things is ridiculous, but I would argue that believing in impossible things actually helps society, and even science, to progress.

Many people toss around the “impossible” label when something simply doesn’t fit in to their line of thinking, but they are equally guilty of believing in their own impossible things. And if you dare imply that those things in which they believe may be considered impossible you are in for a big fight.

The most common of these arguments has always been the “God(s) Paradox.” Those people who argue that believing in the existence of phenomena such as ghosts is impossible because you have no physical proof and cannot present them to others. Yet they openly subscribe to a belief in a God or Gods whom they can offer no physical proof of nor show to others. For a less controversial consideration let’s take the idea of “mother’s intuition.” Intuition is, by definition, a psychic ability that many will say is entirely unproven, and therefore impossible. However, in speaking with mothers who have reported such experiences, as well as studies that have been done examining the claims, it seems like this may be something more existent than not.

I have mentioned in previous columns that I believe science and the paranormal can coexist, rather than being enemies of each other, and the same is true with the impossible. Many scientific breakthroughs would never have taken place had there not been people willing to believe and pursue the impossible. Consider the possibilities that those who say things are impossible may simply not have all the facts to draw a proper conclusion. For example…

In 1902 Harper’s Weekly, billed as the “Journal of Civilization,” and held as one of the most knowledgeable publications stated in its main column that "The actual building of roads devoted to motor cars is not for the near future, in spite of many rumors to that effect."

Dr. Simon Newcomb, professor of mathematics and one of the foremost astronomers in the late 1800s and early 1900s was asked his thoughts on the idea of manned flight, to which he said "Flight by machines heavier than air is impractical and insignificant, if not utterly impossible." Less than 12 months after that, the Wright-Brothers proved that manned flight was not “impossible,” and we all know where it went from there.

Another example from science was the comments made in one of the most respected scientific publications, Science Digest, which was published from 1937 to 1986. It was renowned for its articles and topics and was circulated throughout many educational institutions. But, in an editorial column in 1948 it was stated that “Landing and moving about on the moon offers so many serious problems for human beings that it may take science another 200 years to lick them."

In the case of paranormal phenomena, investigating and studying claims is not an irrational pursuit, but simply another example of the possibilities that rest in what others say is impossible. As long as you are willing to admit when something can be proven not to be paranormal, as any respectable researcher will be willing to do, than there are many potential discoveries that could be made in this area. There remain a growing number of cases in which simple and solid explanation is not so present, and to dismiss them as impossible merely because they don’t fit into our current frame of thought is the only truly illogical thing to do.  

My point is not to claim that all things said to be impossible should be outright believed, but rather to suggest that it is far from unreasonable, misguided, or wrong for a person to hold a belief which someone else says is impossible. It has been said that every great invention was once an impossible dream, and we should take a lesson from that. It is important to believe in impossible things because believing in them is what breaks boundaries that other’s set, it is what advances our knowledge and understanding of our world.