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Clairvoyance
Clairvoyance is the alleged ability to perceive information about people, objects or events without using the normal sensory channels. Together with clairaudience (hearing), clairsentience (feeling) and precognition (foreseeing), it is among the faculties classically attributed to psychics.
Tradition and culture
References to clairvoyance are found in the shamanic texts of many cultures (Siberia, the Americas, Africa), in the prophets of the religions of the Book, and in the European esoteric tradition (Swedenborg, Cayce). In the 19th century the birth of spiritism (Allan Kardec) and American spiritualism made "second sight" an object of popular interest and paranormal experiment.
Scientific status
Academic parapsychology has investigated clairvoyance since the 1930s (J. B. Rhine at Duke University) without obtaining statistically robust results in independent replications. The scientific community today does not consider clairvoyance a verified phenomenon.
FAQ
Do people with these abilities exist?
People who claim to be clairvoyant exist all over the world. Rigorous scientific tests have not confirmed abilities greater than chance.
Is it dangerous?
From a psychological standpoint, relying on clairvoyants for important decisions can lead to poorly informed choices. For real problems, qualified professionals are more helpful.
Can it be learned?
Esoteric traditions speak of "developing the subtle senses" through meditation, attention and trust in intuition. Scientifically, no protocols generate measurable clairvoyance.