Modern Spiritualism: A History and a Criticism V2

Name: Modern Spiritualism: A History and a Criticism V2
Price: 39.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Podmore, Frank
ISBN: 9781498059640

✍️ Podmore, Frank

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unravel the intricate tapestry of Spiritualism's rise and fall through a critical Edwardian lens.

This comprehensive historical survey delves into the complex world of Spiritualism, tracing its development from its fervent origins through its various manifestations and controversies. Penned at the turn of the 20th century, this volume offers a meticulously researched, yet undeniably critical, examination of the movement's prominent figures, phenomena, and philosophical underpinnings. It explores the societal impact and psychological aspects of spiritualist practices, challenging readers to consider the evidence with a discerning eye. Essential for understanding both the allure and the skepticism surrounding this fascinating chapter in occult history.

Key themes

{'title': 'The Rise of Spiritualism', 'body': 'Explores the burgeoning popularity and initial fervent acceptance of Spiritualism, detailing its cultural impact and the societal conditions that fostered its rapid growth during the 19th century, highlighting key figures and early manifestations of the movement across different regions.'} {'title': 'Critique of Psychic Phenomena', 'body': 'Offers a penetrating analysis of alleged spiritualist phenomena, from seances and mediumship to physical manifestations, examining the evidence presented by practitioners and skeptics alike, often exposing the mechanisms of deception and self-delusion with a scholarly, discerning eye.'} {'title': 'Historical & Social Impact', 'body': 'Documents how Spiritualism intertwined with broader social and scientific debates of its era, influencing philosophical thought, religious inquiry, and public perception of the unseen world, charting its evolution and eventual decline in mainstream acceptance and scholarly credibility.'}

🏛 Literary Licensing, LLC 📅 2014 📖 386 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781498059640

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Fun fact

Podmore's 'Modern Spiritualism' stands as a cornerstone for anyone seeking a robust, albeit skeptical, historical examination of the movement. Its strength lies in its meticulous research and analytical rigor, offering a crucial counter-narrative to purely devotional accounts. While it may disappoint readers hoping for an endorsement of spiritualist practices, it is invaluable for historians of occultism, students of psychology, and those interested in the societal impact of belief. A vital, if challenging, read in the field of psychical inquiry.

📝 Description: Modern Spiritualism: A History and a Criticism V2

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1902 Edition.

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5

★★★★★

If you're captivated by the historical intersection of spirituality, skepticism, and human psychology, this book is for you. Ideal for researchers of 19th-century occult movements, critical thinkers, and anyone seeking a nuanced, historically grounded perspective on Spiritualism's enduring legacy.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

No, Frank Podmore was a prominent member of the Society for Psychical Research and is known for his critical and often skeptical examinations of spiritualist claims and phenomena, seeking rational explanations.

This edition is a re-release of Podmore's second volume, which continues his extensive historical and critical survey of Spiritualism, building upon the foundations laid in the first volume to offer a complete overview.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Rise of Spiritualism

Explores the burgeoning popularity and initial fervent acceptance of Spiritualism, detailing its cultural impact and the societal conditions that fostered its rapid growth during the 19th century, highlighting key figures and early manifestations of the movement across different regions.

Critique of Psychic Phenomena

Offers a penetrating analysis of alleged spiritualist phenomena, from seances and mediumship to physical manifestations, examining the evidence presented by practitioners and skeptics alike, often exposing the mechanisms of deception and self-delusion with a scholarly, discerning eye.

Historical & Social Impact

Documents how Spiritualism intertwined with broader social and scientific debates of its era, influencing philosophical thought, religious inquiry, and public perception of the unseen world, charting its evolution and eventual decline in mainstream acceptance and scholarly credibility.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The history of Spiritualism is replete with instances where the fervour of belief outstripped the evidence, leading to widespread credulity and occasional deliberate deception.»

«To truly understand the human impulse towards the supernatural, one must examine not only the claims of revelation but also the mechanisms of its societal acceptance and rejection.»

📜 Historical context

Published in 1902, this work emerges from an era where Spiritualism, while past its peak public fervor, remained a potent subject of scientific and philosophical debate. It reflects the burgeoning scientific rationalism of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, positioning itself as a critical counterpoint to the widespread belief in spirit communication and mediumistic phenomena that captivated society.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Mediumship
Psychical Research

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do historical accounts like Podmore's shape our contemporary understanding of occult movements and belief systems, especially those that have fallen out of favor?
Consider the societal conditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that made Spiritualism so appealing. Are there modern parallels to this search for meaning or communication?
How does one critically evaluate claims of supernatural phenomena while remaining open to genuine experiences beyond current scientific understanding? What criteria would you use?