Harvard psychiatrist John Mack believed that the “ontological shock” of discovering that aliens exist could ultimatel...

Harvard psychiatrist John Mack believed that the “ontological shock” of discovering that aliens exist could ultimately be productive for humanity. Mack observed that people fiercely defend their basic assumptions about reality because losing them can be psychologically destabilizing. But he also believed that precisely this kind of disruption can force us to reconsider our basic assumptions and develop a deeper understanding of reality.