Paul Kurtz, CSICOP Grew and Inspired New Skep- Tical Groups, Both on the Local and the International Scenes
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Jan Feb 13 2_SI new design masters 11/29/12 11:26 AM Page 12 The Modern Skeptical Movement Would Not Exist without Him RAY HYMAN result of these disagreements, Truzzi re- signed from CSICOP to pursue his own vision for a “skeptical” journal. Under the leadership of Paul Kurtz, CSICOP grew and inspired new skep- tical groups, both on the local and the international scenes. Paul was the right person at the right time. I believe that without Paul, we would not have had a successful skeptical movement. Al - though he was an academic and a philosopher, he defied the stereotypes for these occupations and was an ex- traordinary organizer, leader, and entre- preneur. Rarely, if ever, does one en- counter the collection of abilities in one The first meeting of the CSICOP Executive Council, in New York City in August 1977. Paul Kurtz is at head of person that Paul Kurtz possessed. Paul the table. was a scholar, philosopher, prolific au- The passing of Paul Kurtz represents a normal claims. Kurtz and Truzzi decided thor, editor, successful publisher, organ- major blow to the skeptical movement. that Paul and his colleagues should join izer, leader, and tireless advocate for the Without Paul Kurtz, the modern skep- SIR to form a national skeptical organi- truth. He was truly unique. tical movement, which began with the zation. Al though Truzzi did not consult —Ray Hyman is professor emeritus of founding of CSI (originally known as Gard ner, Randi, or me in making this psychology, University of Oregon, and a CSICOP), would not exist. decision, we agreed to the partnership. founding member of the Committee for Skep- In 1973, soon after both he and I had In 1976, Randi, Gardner, and I tical Inquiry’s Executive Council. encountered Uri Geller, James Randi joined Marcello and Paul Kurtz—along met with me in Portland, Ore gon, to with a few others such as Phil Klass, Jim In Memory of a Most suggest we create a skeptical organiza- Alcock—to create CSI (originally tion to counter the fraudulent claims known as CSICOP). At first, Paul Remarkable Man and the exploitation of scientists by al- Kurtz and Marcello Truzzi served as co- JAMES ALCOCK leged psychics such as Geller. He sug- chairs. However, before our first meet- gested we use the acronym SIR (Sanity ing after the organizational one, a seri- I first met Paul in 1976 at the meeting in Research) for the name of our organ- ous division of opinion on the function at the University of Buffalo that launch - ization. The letters SIR were an anagram and goals of CSICOP became evident. ed CSICOP, and from the get-go I was of SRI (Stanford Research Institute), Truzzi wanted our journal, then called amazed by his energy, his enthusiasm, where Geller had been investigated. We The Zetetic, to be a scholarly publication and his determination to do something also included Martin Gardner in our aimed at academics. Paul and the other to stem the rising tide of pseudoscience. group. Although Gard ner, Randi, and I Executive Council members wanted the A few years later, as a member of the spent a day formulating the plans and journal also to serve the general public. objectives for our group, none of us had An even more contentious issue was Executive Council, I had the privileged organizational or administrative experi- Truzzi’s insistence that skeptical and opportunity to observe his dynamism at ence. So when Marcello Truzzi asked to pro-paranormal proponents be given close range. One thing that stands large join our group with an offer to help with equal space in our journal. Paul and the in my memory is how he never seemed organizational and administrative mat- other Executive Council members re- to slow down. For example, in an era be- ters, we readily agreed. Soon afterwards, jected this proposal. We argued that the fore cellular telephones, going to a Truzzi encountered Paul Kurtz at a con- paranormalists already had several pub- restaurant with Paul meant a number of ference. At this time, Kurtz, as editor of lications and media outlets. At the time interruptions while he made trips to the the Humanist magazine, had been wag- of CSICOP’s initiation, there were no nearest pay telephone to conduct vari- ing a campaign against fraudulent para- outlets for the skeptical viewpoint. As a ous bits of pressing business, much of 12 Volume 37 Issue 1 | Skeptical Inquirer Jan Feb 13 2_SI new design masters 11/29/12 11:26 AM Page 13 [ PAUL KURTZ IN MEMORIAM Farewell, Fellow Warrior JAMES RANDI which had to do with building the skepti- cal movement. He was a man with a purpose, deter- mined to stand up for reason, to fight pseudoscience, and to challenge religious dogma. He dedicated himself to that goal, and through his many books, articles, and public lectures, he urged all who would lis- ten to find strength and purpose in our humanness rather than seeking succor through supernatural supplication. He was a builder. He gathered people around him who were experts in all man- ner of things, but it was his rare ability to organize, harness, and disseminate such expertise that created the skeptical move- ment that we have today. He dreamed large, and he worked tirelessly to make James Randi at lower left and Kurtz at right during CSICOP China trip in 1988. those dreams come true. I recall a meeting Paul Kurtz was such a good friend for of the CSICOP Executive Council many so many years.... When Ray Hyman, years ago when Paul announced that CSI- Martin Gardner, and I got concerned COP needed its own building. He had a about rising uncritical acceptance of He was a man with site in mind: a small parcel of land border- paranormal nonsense in the 1970s, we a purpose, deter- ing on the University of Buffalo. Yes, had no experience in creating a useful mined to stand up wouldn’t that be nice, we thought, but group to counter that stuff. Then Paul dream on, shall we? And in technicolor, Kurtz came along, with similar con- for reason, to fight for CSICOP was all but penniless. That cerns and his own plans to create just pseudoscience, did not deter Paul; it still astonishes me such an organization, and we and that he was able to raise the necessary many others quickly joined together and to challenge funds, supervise the purchase of the prop- in that collaborative cause, forming religious dogma. erty, and oversee the design and construc- CSICOP in 1976. Paul came with the tion of the building, until voila!—CSI- credentials, the zeal, and the work ethic that served us all so well for COP was headquartered in a modern and thirty-plus years. This noble man served CSICOP permanent home. And that was just the Along with my colleagues in the without receiving remuneration, but beginning. Through his determination community of skeptics and rationalists, I know that he was greatly satisfied and stewardship, the skeptical movement I will deeply miss Paul and our fre- with his accomplishment in so many took shape around the world. quent exchanges over those decades. ways. His essays, his books, his On a personal level, I shall miss Paul for When our small group first met in the speeches, and his in-person appear- his friendship and inspiration. A man of 1970s to start the organized skeptics ances fortified us all and made us bet- high ideals, boundless energy, kindness, movement, little could we have pre- ter equipped to wage The Battle.... dignity, and grace, Paul has left the world a dicted its worldwide growth under his Hail and farewell, my fellow-war- better place than he found it, and for that, guidance. Yes, we largely have Paul’s rior. Neither of us believed in an af- all who value reason need be grateful. genius to thank for that. We didn’t al- terlife, but your presence among us —James Alcock is professor of psychology, Glendon ways see eye-to-eye, it’s true, but I al- will live on.... College, York University, Toronto, and a long- ways admired his vision. His passing —James Randi, a founding Fellow of CSI, time member of the Committee for Skeptical In- has saddened us all, while we cele- is founder of the James Randi Educational quiry Executive Council. brate his participation with us. Foundation. 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