Which term refers to the supernatural that goes against science?

• A. Paranormal
• B. Preternatural
• C. Supernatural
• D. Occult

Answer: (A)

Paranormal describes phenomena that lie beyond what science can explain with its current methods and evidence. It’s the label used for events people claim are real but not yet verified or that seem to challenge ordinary scientific understanding, like ghosts or ESP. That direct link to science’s explanatory limits is why it best fits the idea of the supernatural that goes against science. The broader term supernatural just means beyond natural law in general, without tying it specifically to what science can or cannot explain. Occult refers to hidden or secret magical knowledge and practices, not to a conflict with science. Preternatural means beyond what is natural in an extraordinary way, but it doesn’t necessarily imply a challenge to science.