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🕊️ Spiritualism

Studies in Spiritism

Name: Studies in Spiritism
Price: 26.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780879758646

✍️ Tanner, Amy E

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A psychological investigation into Leonora Piper's mediumship by Amy E. Tanner.

This work presents the results of rigorous testing conducted by Amy E. Tanner and G. Stanley Hall at Clark University. It focuses on Leonora Piper, a medium who drew the interest of psychologist William James. The book details the methods used to distinguish genuine phenomena from trickery, avoiding common stage illusions. Tanner uses her background in philosophy to analyze the data collected during these sessions. The narrative provides a specific look at how early 20th-century academics approached spiritualism as a subject of scientific inquiry rather than mere belief.

Key Themes

Spiritualism Channeling and Mediumship Psychological investigation

Literary Context

This book sits within the early twentieth-century context of American psychology, specifically during Tanner’s tenure at Clark University. It reflects the period when prominent figures like William James engaged with spiritualist claims. The work emerges from the academic environment of the time, bridging philosophical inquiry and the study of paranormal phenomena through documented séance sittings.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

William James · H.P. Lovecraft's non-fiction essays · Constance Tuke · Society for Psychical Research publications

🕊️

Spiritualism

🏛 Prometheus Books 📅 1994 📖 444 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780879758646

Fun Fact

Tanner’s "Studies in Spiritism" offers a rare blend of historical documentation and psychological insight into one of spiritualism's most intriguing figures. It excels at presenting a balanced, critical examination without dismissing the profound impact Mrs. Piper had on her contemporaries. Those seeking definitive proof of the afterlife might be disappointed, as its strength lies in its meticulous analysis of human experience and perception. This work remains a crucial historical document for understanding the birth of psychical research and the enduring human fascination with the unknown.

📝 Description: Studies in Spiritism

Amy E. Tanner’s Studies in Spiritism offers a detailed account of her psychological investigations into mediumship, specifically focusing on the career of Leonora Piper. Tanner, who held a doctoral degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago and served as an Honorary University Fellow at Clark University, brings academic rigor to this subject. Her work documents the extensive tests conducted alongside psychologist G. Stanley Hall during their time at Clark University. The book examines Piper’s abilities without relying on theatrical tricks like table levitation, which were common in other spiritualist circles of the era. The text explores the intersection of psychology and spiritualism, drawing on the specific period when Piper attracted significant attention from prominent figures such as William James. Tanner’s narrative covers the methodologies used to verify mediumistic claims, providing a historical record of early twentieth-century parapsychological research. The book is organized around the findings of these séance sittings, offering readers a structured look at how scientific inquiry was applied to supernatural phenomena during this time. This volume suits readers interested in the history of psychology and the specific case study of Leonora Piper. It appeals to those who prefer documented investigations over anecdotal ghost stories. The book may not satisfy readers seeking practical guides on modern witchcraft or astrology, as its focus remains strictly on the historical analysis of mediumship conducted by Tanner and her colleagues. The physical format includes 444 pages published by Prometheus Books in 1994, presenting a substantial resource for serious study.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This work serves as a crucial historical document for those studying the scientific exploration of consciousness and early psychical research. However, it does not suit readers seeking dramatic table-rapping, levitation, or easy-to-digest supernatural thrills. The rigorous psychological examination may feel dry to those expecting conventional spiritualist narratives or emotional comfort from the afterlife. It is best suited for academic audiences or serious researchers interested in the specific case of Mrs. Leonora Piper and the intellectual debates of her era, rather than casual occult enthusiasts looking for practical guidance or mystical experiences.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of psychology and the paranormal will find this book invaluable. It offers a rare, scholarly perspective on Leonora Piper, moving beyond sensationalist ghost stories to explore the intricate mechanisms of trance states. Those interested in the history of science and the early attempts to understand consciousness through empirical methods will appreciate Tanner's pioneering approach. The book is ideal for anyone curious about how prominent intellectuals like William James approached spiritualism with serious psychological scrutiny, providing a foundational understanding of early psychic research that remains relevant today.

⭐ 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 intersection of psychology, spiritualism, and the history of scientific inquiry, this book is essential. It's for those who seek rigorous analysis over sensationalism, offering a thoughtful exploration of human consciousness and belief.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This work serves as a crucial historical document for those studying the scientific exploration of consciousness and early psychical research. However, it does not suit readers seeking dramatic table-rapping, levitation, or easy-to-digest supernatural thrills. The rigorous psychological examination may feel dry to those expecting conventional spiritualist narratives or emotional comfort from the afterlife. It is best suited for academic audiences or serious researchers interested in the specific case of Mrs. Leonora Piper and the intellectual debates of her era, rather than casual occult enthusiasts looking for practical guidance or mystical experiences.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, Tanner's work is an objective psychological study, not a spiritualist manifesto. It investigates the *phenomenon* of mediumship through a scientific lens, without necessarily validating the spiritual claims themselves.

Mrs. Piper was renowned for the consistency and perceived authenticity of her mediumship, even under intense scrutiny from leading scientists and skeptics. Her case became a cornerstone for early psychical research due to the sustained interest and investigation she attracted.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Investigating Mediumship

This book provides an unparalleled look into the operations of a renowned medium, Mrs. Leonora Piper. It meticulously records and analyzes her trance states and 'messages,' moving beyond credulous belief or outright dismissal to seek a deeper, more empirical understanding of how such phenomena manifested and were interpreted by those who witnessed them firsthand.

Psychological Scrutiny

At its heart, Tanner's work is a pioneering psychological study. It applies the nascent tools of psychological inquiry to the enigmatic world of spirit communication, exploring the mental processes, altered states of consciousness, and the potential for subconscious activity rather than attributing everything solely to discarnate entities. It questions the very nature of belief and perception.

Science vs. Spiritualism

The text illuminates the fascinating tension between the burgeoning scientific method and the widespread spiritualist movement of the late 19th century. It showcases how prominent thinkers like William James grappled with anomalous experiences, attempting to reconcile observed phenomena with scientific understanding, laying groundwork for psychical research as a legitimate field of study.

📜 Historical context

Published in the early 20th century, this book emerges from a period obsessed with spiritualism and the 'unseen world,' yet also marked by the rise of modern psychology. It represents a crucial early effort to apply scientific methodology to paranormal claims, specifically mediumship, at a time when figures like William James were bridging philosophy, psychology, and psychical research.

📚 Glossary

Spiritism
Mediumship
Psychical Research

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does the challenge of objectively studying phenomena like mediumship reflect broader difficulties in understanding consciousness or subjective experience?
Consider the role of skepticism in your own spiritual or esoteric interests. When is it a valuable tool, and when might it limit exploration?
If you were to design a scientific study of a contemporary 'paranormal' claim, what ethical and methodological considerations would be paramount?