🕯️ Occult Philosophy −11%

Psychic Science: An Introduction to the Experimental Study of Psychical Phenomena

✍️ Boirac, Emile
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$38.95 $44.00 Save $5.05 (11%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1918 academic study of experimental methods applied to clairvoyance and telepathy.

This volume compiles early twentieth-century research on psychic abilities, focusing on how experimental rigor was applied to supernatural claims. Boirac examines the scientific validity of phenomena like precognition and telepathy through the lens of contemporary psychology. The text serves as a historical record of how intellectuals attempted to legitimize occult studies using empirical frameworks. It is valuable for researchers tracking the shift from spiritualism to parapsychology in academic circles.

Key Themes
experimental psychical study clairvoyance and precognition early twentieth century metaphysics
Literary Context

Published in 1918, this text reflects the interwar period's attempt to reconcile scientific rationalism with spiritual inquiry. It captures a moment when American and European scholars sought to classify psychic phenomena as legitimate subjects for academic investigation rather than mere superstition.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Arthur Conan Doyle · William James · C.W. Leadbeater
🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Literary Licensing, LLC 📅 2014 📖 378 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781498055581
Fun Fact
Boirac’s "Psychic Science" is a crucial historical document, illuminating the earnest efforts to bring scientific discipline to the study of the paranormal. It excels in its methodical approach and intellectual ambition, offering a window into early 20th-century psychical research. Those seeking practical occult techniques or definitive scientific proof will likely be disappointed, as its value lies more in its historical context and philosophical inquiry. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the foundational texts of parapsychology and the intellectual history of the occult.

📝 Description: Psychic Science: An Introduction to the Experimental Study of Psychical Phenomena

Emile Boirac presents a systematic examination of psychical phenomena in Psychic Science: An Introduction to the Experimental Study of Psychical Phenomena. This volume, originally published in 1918 and reissued by Literary Licensing, LLC in March 2014, offers readers a structured look into the scientific study of the mind during the early twentieth century. The text addresses subjects such as clairvoyance, precognition, and telepathy within the broader context of metaphysics and occultism. Boirac, whose work bridges psychology and spiritual inquiry, organizes his findings to demonstrate how experimental methods can be applied to phenomena often dismissed by conventional science. The book is suitable for those interested in the historical development of parapsychology and the intersection of philosophy with mystical traditions. It provides a concrete record of how researchers approached psychic abilities before modern terminology became standardized. Readers seeking contemporary spiritual practices or casual entertainment may find the academic tone dry. However, scholars of mind and body studies will appreciate the detailed analysis of early experimental frameworks. The paperback edition contains 378 pages and measures approximately 22.91 centimeters in length. This work remains a primary source for understanding the intellectual climate surrounding psychic research in the early nineteen hundreds. It documents specific cases and theoretical models that influenced later studies in the field. The text does not offer new discoveries but rather compiles existing knowledge from the period. It stands as a historical document for anyone studying the evolution of metaphysical thought in America and Europe during the post-war era.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Boirac presents a dense, academically toned exploration that demands patience from the reader. While intellectually stimulating for those fascinated by the history of science and philosophy, this text is not suitable for casual readers seeking accessible introductions to psychic phenomena or those preferring narrative-driven spiritual guides. The rigorous focus on experimental methodology and logical deduction may feel dry or overly technical to individuals looking for mystical inspiration or practical instruction. It is a scholarly artifact rather than a devotional manual, best appreciated by those who value historical context and philosophical argumentation over immediate esoteric utility.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an essential read for historians of science and esoteric scholars who wish to understand the intellectual roots of modern paranormal inquiry. Readers interested in the philosophical underpinnings of consciousness will appreciate Boirac’s unique attempt to apply empirical logic to seemingly inexplicable mental phenomena. It serves as a crucial bridge between traditional spiritualism and academic psychology, offering those with a taste for rigorous, systematic analysis a rare glimpse into how early thinkers attempted to quantify the hidden frontiers of the mind without succumbing to mere anecdote or blind faith.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
If you're fascinated by the early scientific attempts to understand psychic phenomena, or curious about the historical intersection of science and the esoteric, this book offers invaluable insight. It's for the reader who appreciates intellectual rigor applied to mysterious subjects.

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

Boirac presents a dense, academically toned exploration that demands patience from the reader. While intellectually stimulating for those fascinated by the history of science and philosophy, this text is not suitable for casual readers seeking accessible introductions to psychic phenomena or those preferring narrative-driven spiritual guides. The rigorous focus on experimental methodology and logical deduction may feel dry or overly technical to individuals looking for mystical inspiration or practical instruction. It is a scholarly artifact rather than a devotional manual, best appreciated by those who value historical context and philosophical argumentation over immediate esoteric utility.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is primarily an academic and philosophical exploration of psychical phenomena, focusing on experimental study and theoretical understanding rather than practical instruction or 'how-to' exercises for developing psychic powers.
While scientific methodologies have advanced, the book's historical perspective on early psychical research remains profoundly relevant. It offers a crucial window into the intellectual climate and foundational questions that shaped the field, providing context for contemporary studies of consciousness and parapsychology.

📖 Who should read this

If you're fascinated by the early scientific attempts to understand psychic phenomena, or curious about the historical intersection of science and the esoteric, this book offers invaluable insight. It's for the reader who appreciates intellectual rigor applied to mysterious subjects.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Experimental Psychical Research

Boirac champions a methodical, observation-based approach to studying psychic abilities. He outlines various experiments and their results, striving to apply scientific rigor to phenomena often relegated to superstition, thereby attempting to elevate psychical studies to a legitimate scientific discipline. This pioneering spirit is central to the book's enduring appeal for those interested in the scientific roots of parapsychology.

Mind-Body-Spirit Interconnection

The work deeply delves into the intricate relationship between the material brain, the conscious mind, and the underlying spiritual essence of being. Boirac explores how these components might interact to produce extraordinary psychic experiences, suggesting a continuum rather than discrete entities. This holistic view provides a framework for understanding human potential beyond purely physical explanations, a core tenet of occult and esoteric thought.

Mapping Psychic Faculties

Boirac meticulously categorizes and describes various forms of what we now call Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP), such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition. He attempts to define their characteristics, potential mechanisms, and the conditions under which they manifest. This systematic classification was a crucial step in the early efforts to understand these complex phenomena, laying groundwork for future psychical investigations.

📜 Historical context

Published in 1918, Boirac's work emerged during a fervent period of psychical research, bridging late Victorian spiritualism and nascent parapsychology. It reflects an era when prominent scientists and philosophers earnestly sought to apply empirical methods to investigate phenomena like telepathy and clairvoyance, aiming to legitimize these studies within academic discourse and challenge materialistic paradigms of consciousness.

📚 Glossary

Clairvoyance
Telepathy
Psychical Phenomena

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on the challenges Boirac faced in attempting to apply scientific methods to phenomena deemed 'supernatural' in his time. How do these challenges resonate with contemporary fringe sciences?
  2. Consider how Boirac's early classifications of ESP (telepathy, clairvoyance) compare to modern understandings or categories within parapsychology. What has changed, and what remains consistent?
  3. If you were to design an experiment to test a psychic ability today, drawing inspiration from Boirac's experimental spirit, what would it be and why?

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