{{Short description, Former proof of paranormal prize
The International Zetetic Challenge (from Greek ζητεῖν ''zēteîn'', "to search") was an attempt to prove or disprove the existence of, or demonstrate events related to, the paranormal. It ran from 1987 until 2002 and offered a
€
The euro sign () is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the eurozone and unilaterally adopted by Kosovo and Montenegro. The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. It consists o ...
200,000 prize to "any person who could prove any paranormal phenomenon."
The challenge was overseen by two scientists,
Henri Broch
Henri is an Estonian, Finnish, French, German and Luxembourgish form of the masculine given name Henry.
People with this given name
; French noblemen
:'' See the 'List of rulers named Henry' for Kings of France named Henri.''
* Henri I de Montm ...
illusionist
Magic, which encompasses the subgenres of illusion, stage magic, and close up magic, among others, is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It ...
,
Gérard Majax
Gérard Faier, known as Gérard Majax (April 28, 1943) is a French illusionist.
He has appeared in many television programs, magic demonstrations, and movies.
From 1987 until 2002 he, along with Jacques Théodor and Henri Broch of the Laborato ...
. Investigations and tests were carried out in the
Laboratoire de Zététique
The Laboratoire de Zététique (English: ''Zetetic Laboratory'') is a structure founded by professor in 1998.
Purpose and history
The laboratory is a Research center, research and information centre concerned with purported "paranormal" or "a ...
at
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
's
University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase ''universitas magistrorum et scholarium'', which rou ...
.
After fifteen years and a number of investigations the challenge was ended, the prize was unawarded, as no verifiable paranormal incident had been witnessed by the challengers. The laboratory at the university still conducts research in fields related to the paranormal, however.
See also
* Prabir Ghosh's $50,000 challenge against miracles and astrologers
*
List of prizes for evidence of the paranormal
Paranormal challenges, often posed by groups or individuals who self-identify as skeptics or rationalists, publicly challenge those who claim to possess paranormal abilities to demonstrate that they in fact possess them, and are not fraudulent or ...