Lectures on Psychical Research (Routledge Revivals): Incorporating the Perrott Lectures Given in Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960 Broad, C D
Broad, C DStock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.
Uncover the rigorous academic inquiry into the paranormal from a Cambridge luminary.
First published in 1962, this essential volume compiles Professor C.D. Broad's insightful lectures delivered at Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960. It offers a sophisticated, philosophical examination of what is commonly termed 'psychical research' – the systematic, scientific investigation into phenomena that appear to transcend conventional understanding. Broad meticulously dissects various facets of psychical theory, delving into specific instances such as extrasensory perception, hallucinatory experiences that border on the real, and the complex mechanics of trance-mediumship. This work provides a structured, academic lens through which to explore the ostensibly inexplicable.
This volume represents the mid-twentieth-century intersection of rigorous academic philosophy and the systematic study of paranormal phenomena within the British intellectual tradition. It stands as a testament to the era's attempt to apply structured, scientific inquiry to events that traditionally fell outside conventional understanding.
📝 Description: Lectures on Psychical Research (Routledge Revivals): Incorporating the Perrott Lectures Given in Cambridge University in 1959 and 1960 Broad, C D
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
This book is essential for the intellectually curious skeptic or the philosophically inclined believer who seeks a grounded, non-sensationalist approach to the paranormal. Readers who appreciate the meticulous dissection of complex ideas will find Broad's work invaluable. It serves those tired of vague mysticism, offering instead a sophisticated framework for understanding extrasensory perception and trance-mediumship through an academic lens. If you desire clarity and structure when exploring the inexplicable, this text provides the rigorous intellectual scaffolding necessary to navigate these contentious topics with dignity and precision, transforming curiosity into informed analysis.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Broad delivers a masterclass in philosophical detachment, dissecting psychical phenomena with surgical precision rather than emotional fervor. This is not a book for those seeking spiritual comfort or supernatural validation; it is strictly for the analytical mind. Readers looking for easy answers or dramatic ghost stories will find this dry and overly dense. It demands patience and a strong appetite for abstract theory. However, for those willing to engage with its sophisticated arguments, it offers unparalleled clarity on the mechanics of the paranormal, making it a vital resource for serious scholars despite its lack of accessibility.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you're seeking a serious, intellectual engagement with the paranormal, rather than sensational anecdotes, this book is for you. Ideal for philosophers, parapsychologists, or anyone interested in the historical academic study of extraordinary human experiences.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Academic Rigor Applied
Broad champions a methodical, philosophical approach to phenomena often relegated to the sensational or superstitious. He demonstrates how academic tools of logic and critical analysis can be brought to bear on experiences like telepathy, precognition, and spirit communication, seeking understanding rather than immediate belief or dismissal.
Categorizing Anomalous Experiences
The book meticulously classifies and examines various types of psychical events. From the subtle nuances of 'guessing' that defies probability to the vivid, internal experiences of 'hallucinatory quasi-perception,' and the profound altered states of 'trance-mediumship,' Broad provides a framework for understanding these disparate manifestations.
Foundations of Psychical Theory
Beyond mere description, Broad endeavors to construct a coherent theoretical scaffolding for psychical phenomena. He explores the conceptual challenges involved in integrating these experiences into a broader understanding of mind and reality, prompting readers to reconsider established scientific and philosophical boundaries.
💬 Quotes from the book
“The crucial task before us is not to deny the existence of these anomalous experiences, which are attested by too many credible sources, but to construct a conceptual framework within which they might be rationally accommodated.”
“In examining cases of ostensible precognition, one must rigorously disentangle mere coincidence from genuine foresight, a distinction requiring both statistical acumen and a nuanced appreciation for subjective experience.”
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Psychical Research
- Quasi-perception
- Trance-mediumship
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How does a purely philosophical approach to psychical phenomena differ from a purely scientific one, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each?
- Consider Broad's examination of 'hallucinatory quasi-perception.' How might our understanding of consciousness be expanded if we accept these experiences as genuine, albeit non-physical, perceptions?
- If trance-mediumship were definitively proven, what would be the most profound implications for our understanding of identity, death, and the nature of reality itself?
📖 From the series “Routledge Revivals”
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✍️ More books by this author Broad, C D
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🏛 Books from this publisher Routledge
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