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Parapsychology, Philosophy and the Mind: Essays Honoring John Beloff

Steinkamp, Fiona
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4.7
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unravel the mind's mysteries where philosophy meets the frontiers of psychic inquiry.

This compelling collection compiles scholarly essays presented at a conference honoring John Beloff, a pivotal figure in legitimizing academic parapsychology. It delves into the profound philosophical implications of psychic phenomena, exploring how these experiences challenge our understanding of consciousness, identity, and existence. Contributors, all established philosophers, engage with Beloff’s vision of integrating parapsychology into serious intellectual discourse, examining topics from mind-body dualism to the spiritual dimensions of psi. It's a critical examination for those seeking intellectual rigor in the study of the paranormal.

Key themes
Mind-Body Connection Explored Identity Beyond the Physical Spirituality and Psychic Phenomena
Historical context

This volume sits at the intersection of academic philosophy and the emerging legitimacy of parapsychology, reflecting a period where serious intellectual discourse began to engage with psychic phenomena. It serves as a scholarly bridge between traditional metaphysical inquiry and modern scientific exploration of consciousness.

Difficulty
●●● Demanding
Fans will love it
John Beloff · Aldous Huxley · William James
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 McFarland & Company 📅 2002 📖 199 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9780786412365
Fun fact
This collection excels in bringing together sharp philosophical minds to engage with the often-marginalized field of parapsychology. It provides a much-needed intellectual backbone for those grappling with the implications of psi phenomena. Readers seeking conclusive "proof" or light reading will likely be disappointed, as its strength lies in theoretical exploration and rigorous questioning. It firmly establishes parapsychology as a worthy subject for serious academic and philosophical contemplation, pushing the boundaries of conventional thought.

📝 Description: Parapsychology, Philosophy and the Mind: Essays Honoring John Beloff

John Beloff is one of our foremost authorities in parapsychology. He is credited with an instrumental role in the acceptance of parapsychology into academia. On April 21 and 22, 2000, a two-day international conference was held by the Koestler Parapsychology Unit of the Psychology Department at the University of Edinburgh to celebrate Beloff's eightieth birthday. Most of the essays in this work were presented at this conference honoring John Beloff. All of the contributors have published a number of articles in mainstream philosophy and their essays promote Beloff's greatest interest--a philosophical interaction with parapsychology. The book is divided into three sections and each section has three papers. The papers in the first section, "Parapsychology, Philosophy and the Mind," explore "the mind-brain problem," parapsychology and the principle of closure, and a cross-cultural perspective on dualism and the self. The second section, "Parapsychology, Self and Survival," looks at parapsychological phenomena and the sense of self, chrysalid therapy, and the problem of super psi. The third section, "Parapsychology, Religion and Spirituality," features papers that discuss parapsychology and how it relates to Hume's view of miracles, to religion, and to the origin of the Copernican hypothesis.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This anthology presents a rigorous academic examination of parapsychology, appealing primarily to those with a background in philosophy or serious paranormal research. The contributors tackle complex topics like consciousness and existence with scholarly depth, honoring John Beloff’s vision for legitimizing these studies. However, it is not suited for casual readers seeking accessible narratives or simple explanations of psychic phenomena. Those looking for light reading or practical guides on developing intuition will find this text dense and abstract. It demands patience and an appreciation for theoretical discourse, making it a specialized resource rather than a general interest book.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection is essential for readers who seek intellectual rigor in the study of the paranormal, particularly those interested in how psychic phenomena challenge our understanding of consciousness and identity. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with established philosophers who validate the integration of parapsychology into serious discourse. If you are drawn to the profound implications of mind-body dualism and the spiritual dimensions of psi, this book provides a compelling framework for exploring these frontiers. It is ideal for scholars and enthusiasts alike who wish to unravel the mind's mysteries through a lens that respects both philosophical tradition and empirical inquiry into the unknown.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
If you're a serious inquirer into the nature of consciousness, a philosopher interested in empirical challenges to materialism, or a scholar of psychic phenomena seeking rigorous debate, this collection offers profound intellectual stimulation. Expect to be challenged and to think deeply about the…

Reader rating

4.7
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Esoterica Books editorial team

This anthology presents a rigorous academic examination of parapsychology, appealing primarily to those with a background in philosophy or serious paranormal research. The contributors tackle complex topics like consciousness and existence with scholarly depth, honoring John Beloff’s vision for legitimizing these studies. However, it is not suited for casual readers seeking accessible narratives or simple explanations of psychic phenomena. Those looking for light reading or practical guides on developing intuition will find this text dense and abstract. It demands patience and an appreciation for theoretical discourse, making it a specialized resource rather than a general interest book.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While accessible, its philosophical depth makes it best suited for readers already familiar with core concepts in philosophy of mind or academic parapsychology. It presumes a certain level of intellectual engagement.
No, it explores the *intersections* of parapsychology, philosophy, and spirituality from an academic standpoint, rather than promoting any particular religious or spiritual doctrine. It aims for critical analysis.

📖 Who should read this

If you're a serious inquirer into the nature of consciousness, a philosopher interested in empirical challenges to materialism, or a scholar of psychic phenomena seeking rigorous debate, this collection offers profound intellectual stimulation. Expect to be challenged and to think deeply about the boundaries of reality.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Mind-Body Connection Explored

This collection grapples with the enduring "mind-brain problem," probing how parapsychological evidence might force a re-evaluation of materialist perspectives. It questions the physical basis of consciousness and examines cross-cultural views on dualism, suggesting that psi phenomena could offer new insights into the relationship between our mental and physical selves.

Identity Beyond the Physical

Delving into psychic experiences, essays investigate how parapsychology impacts our understanding of personal identity and the continuity of consciousness. Topics range from the very nature of self in the face of telepathy or precognition to the concept of survival beyond physical death, challenging conventional notions of what it means to be an individual.

Spirituality and Psychic Phenomena

The book explores the intricate connections between parapsychological occurrences, religious belief, and spiritual experience. It considers how psi phenomena might inform or challenge theological frameworks, examining the potential for deeper understanding of transcendent states and the mystical dimensions of human existence through an academic lens.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The persistent anomalies within parapsychological data compel a re-evaluation of classical reductionist frameworks, suggesting consciousness might possess properties irreducible to mere neural activity.”

“By engaging with the full spectrum of human experience, including those labeled 'paranormal,' we enrich our understanding of the self and its potential for transcendence beyond the physical.”

📜 Historical context

This volume stands within the tradition of scholarly inquiry into the paranormal, particularly the efforts to legitimize parapsychology within academic circles. It honors John Beloff, a key figure who advocated for the philosophical examination of psychic phenomena, pushing back against reductionist views and asserting parapsychology's place in broader intellectual discourse since the mid-20th century.

📚 Glossary

Parapsychology
Mind-Brain Problem
Dualism

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How might evidence from parapsychology, if fully accepted, fundamentally alter our understanding of the mind-body relationship?
  2. Consider a personal experience you've had that defies conventional explanation. How might the philosophical perspectives in this book help you contextualize or interpret it?
  3. In what ways do you think rigorous academic inquiry into phenomena like telepathy or precognition could impact traditional religious or spiritual beliefs?

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