Noetics

Poul Anderson wrote about goetics and also mentioned noetics. (I am trying to keep the terminology straight here.)

Anderson respected Edward Mitchell's school of noetics because Edwards had been on the Moon. I do not think that that is a reason to respect a man's views on anything else. Nevertheless, I do approve of the aims of Mitchell's Institute of Noetic Sciences which at least overlap with those of the Society for Psychical Research. 

IONS researches:

psychic abilities

channeling

mind-matter interaction

energy healing

intention

spontaneous remission

meditation

alternative healing

consciousness-based healthcare

spirituality

human potential

psychokinesis

survival of consciousness after physical death

yoga

ESP

lucid dreaming

telekinesis

precognition

Every alleged phenomenon should be investigated. The outcome should be either debunking or confirmation and understanding of a specifically identified phenomenon. Maybe telekinesis works but precognition doesn't or vice versa or both or neither. I don't know. That's what we need to find out, just as we try to learn about anything else: electromagnetism; gravity; the strong and weak nuclear forces; quantum mechanics etc. The fact that any particular line of enquiry is difficult makes it worthwhile.