Editing Rupert Sheldrake (section)

===''Seven Experiments That Could Change the World'' (1994) ===
In 1994, Sheldrake proposed a list of ''Seven Experiments That Could Change the World'', subtitled "A do-it-yourself guide to revolutionary science." He encouraged laypeople to conduct research and argued that experiments similar to his own could be conducted with limited expense.<ref name=seven-exp/>

Music critic of ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' Mark Edwards reviewed the book positively, arguing that Sheldrake "challenges the complacent certainty of scientists," and that his ideas "sounded ridiculous ... as long as your thinking is constrained by the current scientific orthodoxy."<ref name="Edwards"/>

David Sharp, writing in ''[[The Lancet]]'', said that the experiments testing paranormal phenomena carried the "risk of positive [[publication bias]]," and that the scientific community "would have to think again if some of these suggestions were convincingly confirmed." Sharp encouraged readers (medical professionals) to "at least read Sheldrake, even try one of his experiments—but pay very close attention to your methods section." Sharp doubted whether "a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs [was] going to persuade sceptics," and noted that "orthodox science will need a lot of convincing."<ref>The Lancet. 343.8902 (9 April 1994): p. 905.</ref><!--[[Colin Tudge]] reviewed the book for ''[[New Scientist]]''.<ref>''[[New Scientist]]'' 141.1918 (26 March 1994): p42</ref> I have no idea whether this is positive or not, but based on his other review it might be. ~~~~ -->

Science journalist Nigel Hawkes, writing in ''The Times'', said that Sheldrake was "trying to bridge the gap between [[phenomenalism]] and science," and suggested that dogs could appear to have psychic abilities when they were actually relying on more conventional senses. He concluded: "whether scientists will be willing to take [Sheldrake] seriously is ... [a question] that need not concern most readers. While I do not think this book will change the world, it will cause plenty of harmless fun."<ref name="Hawkes"/>