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The scientific basis of spiritualism — Spiritualism

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The scientific basis of spiritualism

Name: The scientific basis of spiritualism
Price: 36.90 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9783337334253

✍️ Sargent, Epes

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A reprint of Epes Sargent's 1881 text on the natural laws behind spiritualism.

This volume presents a high-quality reproduction of an 1881 publication by Hansebooks. The text addresses the intersection of scientific inquiry and spiritualist practice during the late nineteenth century. It covers topics within mind, body, spirit, and general history. The work is categorized under literary collections and religion. The physical format includes 378 pages bound in paperback. The ISBN for this edition is 9783337334253. The content remains unchanged from the original release. Readers will find a detailed examination of spiritualist claims through a scientific framework. The book reflects the intellectual climate of its time. It does not offer modern interpretations or updated research. The focus stays strictly on the arguments presented in the original 1881 edition.

Key Themes

spiritualism mind body spirit scientific inquiry

Literary Context

This book originates from an 1881 publication, reprinted by Hansebooks in 2017. It reflects the late Victorian interest in blending scientific methods with spiritualist beliefs. The work sits within the broader context of religious and literary history from that specific period.

Sargent, Epes

📚 all books by this author (5) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Arthur Conan Doyle · William James · The Society for Psychical Research

🕊️

Spiritualism

🏛 Hansebooks 📅 2017 📖 378 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9783337334253

Fun Fact

Epes Sargent's 1881 treatise is a compelling historical artifact, offering a window into the intellectual battles surrounding spiritualism. Its strength lies in its earnest attempt to apply rational thought to the seemingly irrational, providing a rich primary source for understanding Victorian-era esoteric thought. While its 'scientific' methodology is undeniably dated for a modern reader, it admirably captures the spirit of an era. Those seeking contemporary scientific validation will be disappointed, but historians of spiritualism and intellectual thought will find it an indispensable document in their collection.

📝 Description: The scientific basis of spiritualism

Epes Sargent’s The Scientific Basis of Spiritualism offers a reprint of an 1881 text that attempts to ground spiritualist phenomena in observable natural laws. This edition, published by Hansebooks on September 29, 2017, preserves the original content without alteration. The volume spans 378 pages and measures 21.01 centimeters in length, 14.81 centimeters in width, and 2.13 centimeters in height. It weighs 0.49 kilograms. The work falls under the subjects of mind, body, and spirit, as well as general spiritualism, history, literary collections, and religion. The author approaches the subject by treating spiritualist claims as a field for scientific inquiry rather than mere folklore. Sargent examines the mechanisms behind reported phenomena, seeking to explain them through the lens of contemporary understanding in 1881. The book draws on the traditions of late nineteenth-century spiritualism and the emerging interest in parapsychology. It utilizes sources from the period to construct its arguments about the intersection of matter and spirit. This title suits readers interested in the historical development of occult thought and the Victorian era’s engagement with science and religion. It provides a primary source view for scholars studying the transition between religious mysticism and scientific materialism. The book is not suitable for those seeking modern practical witchcraft instructions or contemporary astrological guidance. Its value lies in its archival nature and its specific historical perspective on spiritualist theory.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This text serves as a fascinating historical artifact for those interested in the origins of psychical research and the scientific attempts to categorize spiritual phenomena. However, readers seeking modern neuroscientific explanations or contemporary metaphysical practices will likely find its 1881 perspective dated and overly reliant on period-specific logic. It is not suited for those who dismiss the entire field of spiritualism as mere superstition without historical context. While the attempt to bridge science and spirit is ambitious, the content remains firmly rooted in its specific era, making it more valuable as a study of intellectual history than as a practical guide for current spiritual seekers or hardline materialists.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the historical intersection of science and mysticism will find this volume indispensable. It offers a unique window into the 19th-century quest to validate spiritualism through empirical methods, appealing to those who enjoy intellectual history and the evolution of thought regarding the unseen. Sargent’s meticulous arguments provide a compelling framework for understanding how skeptics were challenged by unconventional investigations. If you appreciate works that dismantle established views through rigorous observation, this book serves as an engaging guide to a time when the boundaries between the material and spiritual worlds were actively being redefined and questioned.

⭐ 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 history of spiritualism, the Victorian era's engagement with the paranormal, or the enduring tension between science and belief, this book offers a unique historical perspective. It's for those who appreciate intellectual arguments for the unseen.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This text serves as a fascinating historical artifact for those interested in the origins of psychical research and the scientific attempts to categorize spiritual phenomena. However, readers seeking modern neuroscientific explanations or contemporary metaphysical practices will likely find its 1881 perspective dated and overly reliant on period-specific logic. It is not suited for those who dismiss the entire field of spiritualism as mere superstition without historical context. While the attempt to bridge science and spirit is ambitious, the content remains firmly rooted in its specific era, making it more valuable as a study of intellectual history than as a practical guide for current spiritual seekers or hardline materialists.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is an exact reprint of an 1881 text. While it uses the language of science of its time, it should be read as a historical document reflecting 19th-century perspectives, not current scientific consensus.

Absolutely. Epes Sargent was a prominent advocate for spiritualism, and this work is a dedicated effort to provide a rational, 'scientific' foundation for its validity and phenomena, urging readers toward open investigation.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Science Meets Spirit

Sargent boldly argues that spiritualist phenomena, often dismissed as charlatanry or delusion, can be understood and validated through systematic observation and a broadened scientific perspective. He challenges the rigid materialism of his era, advocating for an empirical approach to the unseen, suggesting that what is currently inexplicable merely awaits a more comprehensive scientific understanding.

Defense of Spiritualism

This book serves as a robust intellectual defense of spiritualism, offering a counter-narrative to prevailing skepticism. Sargent meticulously compiles evidence and theoretical arguments to support the authenticity of spirit communication and other paranormal events. It's an earnest plea for intellectual honesty and open-minded inquiry into experiences that defy conventional explanation, positioning spiritualism as a legitimate field of study.

Mind-Body Connection

The work implicitly, and at times explicitly, delves into the profound relationship between consciousness, physical reality, and the potential for interaction with non-physical entities. Sargent explores how the human mind might serve as a conduit for spiritual forces, blurring the lines between internal experience and external manifestation. This exploration predates much modern psychological and parapsychological research.

📜 Historical context

Published at the height of the Spiritualist movement in the late 19th century, Sargent's work reflects a societal yearning to reconcile burgeoning scientific rationalism with profound spiritual experiences. It belongs to a tradition of attempts to legitimize esoteric practices through empirical observation, a hallmark of an era grappling with evolutionary theory and the limits of materialist philosophy.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Esoteric
Occult

📔 Questions to reflect on

How has the relationship between science and spirituality evolved since 1881, and where do you see the primary points of convergence or divergence today?
Reflect on a personal experience or observed phenomenon that challenged your conventional understanding of reality. How might Sargent's approach help frame such an event?
In an age dominated by empirical evidence, what role do you believe personal testimony and subjective experience should play in our understanding of 'truth'?