Interdimensional UFO hypothesis

The interdimensional hypothesis is a proposal that unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings are the result of experiencing other "dimensions" that coexist separately alongside our own^[1] in contrast with either the extraterrestrial hypothesis that suggests UFO sightings are caused by visitations from outside the Earth or the psychosocial hypothesis that argues UFO sightings are best explained as psychological or social phenomenon.

The hypothesis has been advanced by ufologists such as Meade Layne,^[2] John Keel,^[3] J. Allen Hynek, and Jacques Vallée.^[4]^[1] Proponents of the interdimensional hypothesis argue that UFOs are a modern manifestation of a phenomenon that has occurred throughout recorded human history, which in prior ages were ascribed to mythological or supernatural creatures.^[5]

Jeffrey J. Kripal, Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, writes: "this interdimensional reading, long a staple of Spiritualism through the famous 'fourth dimension', would have a very long life within ufology and is still very much with us today".^[6]

^ ^a ^b Laycock, Joseph P. (2021). "Unmasking the Alien Deception: Why Evangelicals Are Studying Ufology". In Zeller, Ben (ed.). Handbook of UFO Religions. Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion. Vol. 20. Leiden and Boston: Brill Publishers. pp. 103–115. doi:10.1163/9789004435537_006. ISBN 978-90-04-43437-0. ISSN 1874-6691. S2CID 236696101. Archived from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
^ Cite error: The named reference Reece was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Boyle, Tanner F. (December 9, 2020). The Fortean Influence on Science Fiction: Charles Fort and the Evolution of the Genre. McFarland. ISBN 9781476677408. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022 – via Google Books.
^ Kline, Jim (9 April 2019). The Otherworld in Myth, Folklore, Cinema, and Brain Science. Cambridge Scholars. ISBN 9781527532908. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
^ "History of UFOs". Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group. 2006.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Kripal, Jeffrey J. (15 November 2011). Mutants and Mystics: Science Fiction, Superhero Comics, and the Paranormal. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226453835. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.

[Laycock_2021-1] Laycock, Joseph P. (2021). "Unmasking the Alien Deception: Why Evangelicals Are Studying Ufology". In Zeller, Ben (ed.). Handbook of UFO Religions. Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion. Vol. 20. Leiden and Boston: Brill Publishers. pp. 103–115. doi:10.1163/9789004435537_006. ISBN 978-90-04-43437-0. ISSN 1874-6691. S2CID 236696101. Archived from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-26.

[Reece-2] Cite error: The named reference Reece was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[3] Boyle, Tanner F. (December 9, 2020). The Fortean Influence on Science Fiction: Charles Fort and the Evolution of the Genre. McFarland. ISBN 9781476677408. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022 – via Google Books.

[books.google.com-4] Kline, Jim (9 April 2019). The Otherworld in Myth, Folklore, Cinema, and Brain Science. Cambridge Scholars. ISBN 9781527532908. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.

[FW-5] "History of UFOs". Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group. 2006.^{[permanent dead link]}

[kripal-6] Kripal, Jeffrey J. (15 November 2011). Mutants and Mystics: Science Fiction, Superhero Comics, and the Paranormal. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226453835. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.

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