The effects that have paranormal experiences in the life of the people were investigated. The results of a sample of 24 people actively interested in thinking new age and esoteric issues that reported having at least one paranormal experience were collected. Such experiences increased their interest in spiritual matters as well as the subjective sense of well-being. They also showed a decrease in fear of death, depression or anxiety, isolation and loneliness; concerns and fears about the future. A large majority of the respondents indicated that these effects were a combination of more than one spiritual, paranormal and transcendental experience. The magnitude of the changes in welfare and spirituality were positively associated with the number of anomalous experiences. Well-being scores and the importance of spirituality were positively associated with changes in welfare and spirituality which resulted from the anomalous experiences. Although 45% of respondents indicated that the paranormal experience had been frightening, this fear seemed to be temporary or mixed with positive feelings.

Se investigó los efectos que tienen las experiencias paranormales en la vida de las personas. Se recogieron los resultados de una muestra de 24 personas activamente interesadas en pensamiento new age y otras cuestiones esotéricas que reportaron haber tenido al menos una experiencia paranormal. Tales experiencias incrementaban el interés en cuestiones espirituales así como la sensación subjetiva de bienestar. También mostraron disminución en el temor hacia la muerte, depresión o ansiedad; aislamiento y soledad; preocupaciones y temores acerca del futuro. Una gran mayoría de los encuestados indicó que estos efectos resultaban de una combinación de más de una experiencia paranormal y trascendental-espiritual. La magnitud de los cambios en el bienestar y en la espiritualidad estuvieron positivamente asociados con el número de experiencias anómalas. Los puntajes de bienestar y la importancia de la espiritualidad estuvieron positivamente asociados con los cambios en el bienestar y la espiritualidad que resultaron de las experiencias anómalas. Aunque el 45% de los encuestados indicó que la experiencia paranormal había sido atemorizante, este temor parecía ser temporal o mezclado con sentimientos positivos.

En este artículo se exploran los conceptos de colectivo de pensamiento, estilo de pensamiento, comunicación esotérica y comunicación exotérica en Ludwik Fleck como precursores de los conceptos de paradigma e inconmensurabilidad, ejes centrales del pensamiento de Thomas Kuhn.

This article explores Ludwik Fleck's concepts of collective thinking, style of thinking, esoteric and exoteric communication as precursors of the concepts of paradigm and incommensurability central in Thomas Kuhn's thought.

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar algumas idéias epistemológicas de Thomas Kuhn e Ludwik Fleck e correlacioná-las entre si e com os desafios da reforma da educação médica, supondo para esta uma finalidade de formação de médicos gerais habilitados, competentes e dispostos para o trabalho no SUS e no PSF (atenção básica). Os conceitos de paradigma e de ciência normal e a visão kuhniana do aprendizado científico são coerentes com os conceitos fleckianos de estilo de pensamento e iniciação nos círculos esotéricos de um coletivo de pensamento. Ambos os autores se reforçam na pertinência da aplicação dessas categorias à medicina e ao seu ensino. Indicam para este ensino diricos de um coletivo de pensamento. Ambos os autores se reforçam na pertinência da aplicação dessas categorias à medicina e ao seu ensino. Indicam para este ereções coes coerentes com a inserção precoce dos alunos na atenção básica e com o aprendizado de práticas e habilidades ambientadas nesses serviços, ensinadas por profissionais que ali pratiquem medicina geral. Além disso, suas teorias facilitam o reconhecimento e o manejo das "reduções paradigmáticas" ou "estilísticas", melhorando a habilidade clínica e a performance ética dos profissionais e alunos.

The purpose of this article is to present some epistemological ideas of Thomas Kuhn and Ludwik Fleck correlating them to each other and to medical knowledge and practice, especially with regard to the challenges posed by the reform of medical education. We assume here that the purpose of medical education is preparing competent general practitioners, willing to work in primary care in the Brazilian public health system. The concepts of paradigm and normal science as well as Kuhn's conception of scientific learning are consistent with Fleck's concepts of 'thought style' and initiation in the esoteric contexts of a 'thought collective'. Both theoreticians reinforce themselves mutually with regard do the pertinence of applying these categories to the field of medicine and medical education. They also point to the need of an early involvement of students in the practice of primary care and related abilities and practices, taught by professionals in these fields. Moreover, these theories favor recognition and management of "paradigmatic or stylist reductions" besides increasing the clinical abilities and ethical performance of professionals and students.