Hey Michael,
I think we're kinda talking past each other I bit.
I'm just saying that:
1)PSI is real, fundamental to the human experience, and probably fundamental to the functioning of existence.
2)PSI (in the broadest possible definition) is irrational in that it undermines some fundamental aspects of classical logic, ie. The law of the excluded middle (something is either A, or not A), and the law of non-contradiction (That something cannot be both A and Not A).
3)Complex societies (not specifically Western) depend on a rationalised system of laws, bureaucracies and hierarchies.
4)PSI is thus a border phenomena in two senses:
a)It undermines binary oppositions (dead/alive, internal/external, dream/reality, etc.) and blurs boundaries.
b)Complex societies have a tendency to marginalise the irrational aspects of existence (and those involved with them).
5)The boundary blurring nature of PSI's more intense manifestations ('abductions' as one example) can be dangerous to health, especially to those culturally unprepared to engage with the phenomena.
6)Traditional societies acknowledged this danger and mitigated against it with rituals, etc.
7)As the boundary blurring nature of PSI is unsettling to those raised (indoctrinated) in a complex, centralised society, people have a tendency to try and impose a rational framework over PSI's irrational elements (be it claiming PSI as a result of mental illness or a government conspiracy).
And that's about it.
So, I suspect, we don't really disagree on much.
Cheers.
P.S. I've read your theses before and enjoyed it greatly (how many academic works can you say that about?).