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| Subject: | | Re: Why should Cryptozoology be admitted as a scientific field? |
| From: | |
Rangoon
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posted
Mon, Oct 19 2009, 9:35am
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Cryptozoology is more of a study of myths relating to "undiscovered animals" than it is a proper subset of zoology. It is true that native stories have led to discoveries of new or legendary animals but not by cryptozoologists. |
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| Subject: | | Re: Why should Cryptozoology be admitted as a scientific field? |
| From: | |
Stu
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posted
Wed, Oct 21 2009, 9:49am
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I like this definition best.
From 'The Skeptics Dictionary' by Robert Todd Carroll:
cryptozoology -
Cryptozoology is, literally, the study of hidden animals. It is the study of such creatures as the Australian bunyip, Bigfoot, the chupacabra, and the Loch Ness monster. It is not a recognized branch of the science of zoology.
Cryptozoology relies heavily upon testimonials and circumstantial evidence in the form of legends and folklore, and the stories and alleged sightings of mysterious beasts by indigenous peoples, explorers, and travellers. Since cryptozoologists spend most of their energy trying to establish the existence of creatures, rather than examining actual animals, they are more akin to psi researchers than to zoologists.
Expertise in zoology, however, is asserted to be a necessity for work in cryptozoology, according to Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans, who coined the term to describe his investigations of animals unknown to science. This focus on evaluating the evidence for "cryptids" was continued by the International Society for Cryptozoology, which is now defunct. |
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| Subject: | | Re: Why should Cryptozoology be admitted as a scientific field? |
| From: | |
Rangoon
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posted
Wed, Oct 21 2009, 10:00am
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Expertise in zoology, however, is asserted to be a necessity for work in cryptozoology
The most telling credential that most self titled cryptozoologists lack imo.
Granted a smart person can gain all the knowledge they can without a degree in most subjects. They can be very well versed in subject matter but may not be able to gain any acceptence without the diploma. |
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