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Lectures on Psychical Research: Incorporating the Perrott Lectures Given in Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960 — Occult Philosophy

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Lectures on Psychical Research: Incorporating the Perrott Lectures Given in Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960

Name: Lectures on Psychical Research: Incorporating the Perrott Lectures Given in Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960
Price: 255.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780415610728

✍️ Broad, C D

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Originally presented as influential lectures at Cambridge, this 1962 volume delves into the disciplined study of phenomena beyond conventional explanation. C.D. Broad, a distinguished philosopher, meticulously scrutinizes the theoretical foundations of psychical research. He unpacks complex subjects across three distinct parts, addressing everything from the subtle art of intuition and vivid hallucinatory experiences to the profound states of trance mediumship. It’s an intellectual journey into the very edge of human understanding, questioning what we truly perceive and how.

Broad, C D

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🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Routledge 📅 2011 📖 464 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780415610728

Fun Fact

C.D. Broad’s *Lectures on Psychical Research* stands as a monumental work, offering unparalleled intellectual rigor to a field often mired in speculation. It excels in its analytical dissection of complex phenomena, making it essential for serious students of philosophy and the paranormal. However, those expecting sensational anecdotes or New Age affirmations will be disappointed by its scholarly detachment. This book is a foundational text, demanding careful thought and rewarding it with profound insights into the nature of reality and perception.

📝 Description: Lectures on Psychical Research: Incorporating the Perrott Lectures Given in Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960

This book, first published in 1962, is based on a series of lectures first given at Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960, dealing with 'psychical research' - i.e. the scientific investigation of ostensibly paranormal phenomena. Split into three sections, Professor Broad's study examines numerous issues relating to psychical theory, including guessing, hallucinatory quasi-perception and trance-mediumship.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Broad’s 1962 compilation serves as a formidable gatekeeper for those seeking structure in the chaotic realm of psychical research. The text is dense with philosophical analysis, demanding patience from the reader. It is decidedly not suited for casual enthusiasts of ghost stories or those seeking quick, sensationalist paranormal advice. Skeptics may find the premise itself unappealing, while spiritualists might find the tone too detached. However, for the academic or the serious student of consciousness, it offers a rare, unbiased examination of trance and intuition, stripping away mysticism to reveal the underlying logical structures.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This volume is essential for the intellectually curious seeker who approaches the paranormal not with blind faith, but with a desire for rigorous philosophical grounding. Readers interested in the theoretical underpinnings of intuition, hallucinatory experiences, and mediumship will find value in Broad’s meticulous scrutiny. It offers a disciplined framework for understanding phenomena that lie beyond conventional explanation, appealing to those who wish to question the very nature of perception and human understanding. By unpacking complex subjects through the lens of a distinguished philosopher, it provides an accessible yet deep entry point into the edge of human cognition, making it perfect for students of metaphysics and serious researchers alike.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're a serious student of philosophy, a curious investigator of the unknown, or simply wish to approach paranormal claims with intellectual rigor rather than blind belief or skepticism, this foundational work offers invaluable insight. Prepare for a deeply analytical exploration.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Broad’s 1962 compilation serves as a formidable gatekeeper for those seeking structure in the chaotic realm of psychical research. The text is dense with philosophical analysis, demanding patience from the reader. It is decidedly not suited for casual enthusiasts of ghost stories or those seeking quick, sensationalist paranormal advice. Skeptics may find the premise itself unappealing, while spiritualists might find the tone too detached. However, for the academic or the serious student of consciousness, it offers a rare, unbiased examination of trance and intuition, stripping away mysticism to reveal the underlying logical structures.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, Broad’s approach is strictly philosophical and analytical. He doesn't aim to prove or disprove phenomena but to critically examine the concepts, evidence, and theoretical frameworks used in psychical research, maintaining a detached, scholarly perspective.

While written with academic precision, Broad's clarity makes complex philosophical arguments digestible for the dedicated reader. However, it is not a "pop science" book; it demands thoughtful engagement with its dense, logical reasoning.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Investigating the Paranormal

Broad meticulously outlines the methodology for scientifically examining phenomena traditionally deemed outside natural laws. He champions a rigorous, philosophical approach to understanding events like telepathy or clairvoyance, moving beyond mere anecdotes to structured inquiry.

Perception Beyond Senses

The text probes the nature of perception itself, particularly focusing on experiences that seem to bypass ordinary sensory input. It explores the philosophical implications of "hallucinatory quasi-perception"—moments where reality blurs, offering insight into the mind's capacity for non-standard awareness.

States of Mediumship

Broad dedicates significant attention to the profound altered states associated with trance mediumship. He dissects the theoretical underpinnings of how individuals might serve as conduits for communication, examining the psychological and potentially paranormal aspects of such profound dissociative experiences.

📜 Historical context

C.D. Broad's lectures emerge from a rich tradition of British philosophical inquiry into psychical phenomena, particularly active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work represents a pivotal mid-century contribution, aiming to bring academic rigor and analytical philosophy to subjects often relegated to fringe science, bridging the gap between empirical observation and metaphysical speculation.

📚 Glossary

Psychical Research
Hallucinatory Quasi-Perception
Trance-Mediumship

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might a purely scientific approach to the paranormal change your personal understanding or skepticism regarding such phenomena?
Consider an experience where your perception seemed to deviate from objective reality. How would Broad's concepts of "quasi-perception" help you analyze it?
If mediumship were proven to be a genuine phenomenon, what philosophical or societal implications would arise regarding consciousness and death?