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The Problems of Psychical Research

by Hereward Carrington (1880–1959)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 14 chapters
  • Reading level: 10th to 12th grade

"The Problems of Psychical Research" by Hereward Carrington is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work explores the theoretical and experimental aspects of psychical phenomena, emphasizing psychological dimensions over physical manifestations, and offers insights drawn from years of research in the realm of the supernormal. The author aims to unravel the complexities of psychic phenomena and to examine the nature of the intelligence behind these occurrences. The opening of the book presents Carrington's reflections on the status of psychical research as a legitimate scientific discipline. He argues that if any psychical phenomena can be proven true, then the field merits serious scientific inquiry; otherwise, it remains speculative. He discusses the complexities and challenges faced by researchers, acknowledging the potential for fraud and misinterpretation while advocating for systematic investigation into the nature of mediumistic communications. Carrington also highlights the need for future explorations into the mechanisms underlying these phenomena and suggests that a deeper understanding of consciousness might emerge from continued study.

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  • Parapsychology

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Chapter I

IS PSYCHICAL RESEARCH A SCIENCE?

Is Psychical Research a Science?

It seems to me that the answer to this question must be somewhat as follows: If the phenomena be true, Yes; if not, No!

If one single prophecy, clairvoyant vision, telepathic impulse, or mediumistic message be true—if veritable supernormal information be thereby conveyed—then psychical research is a science, and illimitable avenues are opened up for further research and speculation.

More especially is this true in the case of mediumistic messages. If these prove to be delusory—the result of subliminal activity and so forth—if there be no spiritual world, then "psychics" may be said to be "founded upon the sand." It can hardly be called a "science." Only when the fact of communication is proved, will the real study of the subject begin. Much of the work, up to the present, has been undertaken with a view to establishing the reality of the facts. But this is a question of evidence, not scientific research. When the facts themselves are established, then the real study—the work of the future—will begin. It will probably be the task of future generations to attack the problem from this standpoint.

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Contents

  1. Preface
  2. Chapter I
  3. Chapter II: Investigating Psychical Phenomena with Scientific Instruments
  4. Chapter III
  5. Part I
  6. Part II
  7. Part II
  8. Chapter V
  9. Chapter VI
  10. Chapter VII: Hallucination and the Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism[25]
  11. Chapter VIII
  12. Chapter IX
  13. Chapter X: The Psychology of the Ouija Board[45]
  14. Chapter XI
  15. Chapter XII

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About this edition

This free edition of The Problems of Psychical Research by Hereward Carrington comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #23660, released 2007-11-29. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Psychiatry/Psychology.

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