Studies In Psychical Research — Occult Philosophy

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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Studies In Psychical Research

Name: Studies In Psychical Research
Price: 42.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781498092425

✍️ Podmore, Frank

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$42.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1897 examination of psychic phenomena by Frank Podmore, now available in paperback.

This volume captures the intellectual efforts of the late Victorian era to classify supernatural experiences. Podmore approaches clairvoyance and telepathy with a researcher’s eye, documenting cases that were considered significant at the time. The text does not offer new theories but preserves the arguments and observations of its period. It serves as a primary source for understanding how spiritualism was perceived by serious investigators in 1897. The book is particularly useful for those studying the history of esoteric thought in America and Europe.

Key Themes

Psychic phenomena Clairvoyance and precognition Mind body spirit

Literary Context

Published in 1897, this work reflects the late Victorian fascination with spiritualism and parapsychology. It documents a period when scientific inquiry began to seriously engage with topics previously dismissed as mere superstition or fraud.

Podmore, Frank

📚 all books by this author (13) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · William James · H.P. Blavatsky · The Society for Psychical Research Reports

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Literary Licensing, LLC 📅 2014 📖 470 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781498092425

Fun Fact

Podmore's 'Studies In Psychical Research' is an invaluable historical document, offering a window into the formative years of parapsychology. Its strength lies in its measured, academic approach to phenomena often sensationalized. Those seeking definitive proof or modern scientific conclusions will be disappointed, as it reflects the limits of its time. However, for scholars of occult history, esoteric studies, or the evolution of scientific thought on consciousness, this reissue is an indispensable primary source that illuminates the origins of a fascinating field.

📝 Description: Studies In Psychical Research

Frank Podmore’s Studies In Psychical Research presents a serious examination of phenomena that challenge conventional scientific understanding. Published originally in 1897 and reissued by Literary Licensing, LLC, this volume offers readers access to late nineteenth-century investigations into the boundaries of human perception. The text addresses subjects such as clairvoyance, precognition, and telepathy, placing these concepts within a broader historical context. Podmore, recognized for his work in this field, organizes the material to provide a structured analysis of psychic phenomena rather than mere anecdotal collection. The book spans 470 pages and covers the intersection of mind, body, and spirit alongside general history. It draws on traditions and periods relevant to the study of psychical research during its era of publication. The content is designed for readers interested in the historical development of these mystical topics. Those seeking modern scientific validation or casual entertainment may find the dense historical approach less appealing. The work remains a specific artifact of its time, documenting the intellectual climate surrounding spiritualism and parapsychology at the turn of the century. This edition maintains the physical characteristics of the original text while making it available to contemporary audiences. The paperback format allows for easy handling despite the substantial weight of over one kilogram. Readers who appreciate detailed historical accounts of occult studies will find value in this comprehensive resource. It stands as a record of how early researchers attempted to categorize and understand experiences that defied standard explanation.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Podmore’s 1897 investigation provides a rigorous look at psychical phenomena, blending skepticism with open-minded inquiry. While valuable for its historical context and detailed analysis of telepathy and precognition, it may not suit readers seeking definitive proof of the supernatural or those preferring modern neuroscientific explanations. The dense, academic tone might deter casual enthusiasts of the occult who desire more accessible or mystical narratives. However, for scholars and serious students of esoteric history, it remains a crucial text for understanding the societal shift toward scientifically investigating the spirit. It is best approached as a historical document of inquiry rather than a guide to practice.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the historical roots of paranormal inquiry will find this volume essential. It appeals to those who appreciate a balanced, skeptical approach to extraordinary human experiences rather than blind belief. Historians of science and psychology gain insight into early attempts to chart unknown territories of consciousness. Those interested in the evolution of esoteric thought from spiritualism to empirical study will value Podmore’s meticulous examination of clairvoyance and telepathy. It offers a unique window into how 19th-century intellectuals navigated the boundary between the material world and the enigmatic powers of the mind, providing a rigorous foundation for understanding modern occult studies.

⭐ 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 historical roots of parapsychology, the early scientific attempts to validate psychic abilities, or the intellectual climate surrounding the mind-body problem in the late 19th century, this original 1897 edition is an essential addition to your collection.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Podmore’s 1897 investigation provides a rigorous look at psychical phenomena, blending skepticism with open-minded inquiry. While valuable for its historical context and detailed analysis of telepathy and precognition, it may not suit readers seeking definitive proof of the supernatural or those preferring modern neuroscientific explanations. The dense, academic tone might deter casual enthusiasts of the occult who desire more accessible or mystical narratives. However, for scholars and serious students of esoteric history, it remains a crucial text for understanding the societal shift toward scientifically investigating the spirit. It is best approached as a historical document of inquiry rather than a guide to practice.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is a faithful reissue of the original 1897 text, offering a historical perspective on how psychical phenomena were understood and investigated over a century ago, rather than a modern scientific overview.

The book examines various anecdotal reports and early experimental data concerning clairvoyance, precognition, telepathy, and other forms of extra-sensory perception, analyzed through the lens of late Victorian scholarship.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Unveiling Psychic Phenomena

Podmore systematically categorizes and analyzes various forms of extra-sensory perception, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition. The book delves into historical accounts and contemporary observations, attempting to discern genuine occurrences from fraud or misinterpretation, laying groundwork for later understanding of these elusive mental abilities.

History of Psychic Inquiry

This work is a crucial document in the lineage of psychical studies, reflecting the nascent scientific efforts to examine phenomena beyond conventional understanding. It chronicles the methodologies and challenges faced by early researchers, providing invaluable context for how the study of the mind, body, and spirit evolved at the turn of the 20th century.

Mind-Body-Spirit Nexus

The text explores the intricate relationship between the human mind, its physical vessel, and the broader concept of spirit. Podmore investigates how mental processes might transcend physical limitations, offering an intellectual framework for understanding consciousness outside purely materialist perspectives prevalent in his era, bridging science and the esoteric.

📜 Historical context

Published in 1897, Podmore's work emerges from a vibrant period of intellectual curiosity, following the establishment of the Society for Psychical Research in 1882. It represents a serious academic endeavor to apply scientific methodology to phenomena previously relegated to folklore or spiritualism, significantly shaping the nascent field of parapsychology and its historical trajectory.

📚 Glossary

Psychical Research
Clairvoyance
Precognition

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might our modern scientific understanding of consciousness both validate and challenge the psychical investigations undertaken by Podmore in 1897?
Reflect on how the cultural and scientific context of the late 19th century shaped the questions Podmore asked about psychic phenomena. What biases or insights might have been unique to his era?
Consider the ethical implications of studying psychic abilities, both in Podmore's time and today. What responsibilities do researchers bear when investigating claims that can profoundly impact belief systems?