Psychic Ph.D.

Dr. Spoonbender, I presume?

In a colorful 341-page book, Roots of Consciousness, Author Jeffrey Mishlove comes across as a true believer in the mysterious mental powers of parapsychology --mental telepathy, clairvoyance and psychokinesis. As Mishlove would have it, things like bending spoons through the pure power of the mind "are rooted in the essential core of our cosmic existence." Now it seems they will be rooted also in the groves of academe. Mishlove, 34, a former radio personality who spent seven years doing research in Berkeley's individual disciplinary doctorate program, has been awarded a Ph.D. in parapsychology by the University of California at Berkeley. It is believed to be the first doctorate in parapsychology ever granted by an accredited university in the U.S. The degree has also stirred considerable campus controversy, which Mishlove describes as "irrational resistance." Berkeley Statistics Expert Robert Pisani has faulted Mishlove's skill in experimental reasoning. Mishlove's supporters argue that his thesis deals adequately with the history and philosophy of parapsychology, but even they agree that his mastery of experimental research techniques was questionable. Even so, the university's academic senate approved the degree by formal vote.

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