Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European SavantsFlammarion, Camille
Philosophy
Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
Flammarion, Camille
Parapsychology -- Investigation; Spiritualism
Allow me to add that I can find no evidence even tending to prove that
this force is other than a force proceeding from, or directly
dependent upon, the human organization, and therefore, like all other
forces of nature, wholly within the province of that strictly
scientific investigation to which you have been the first to subject
it.
Now that it is proved by mechanical tests to be a fact in nature (and
if a fact, it is impossible to exaggerate its importance to physiology
and the light it must throw upon the obscure laws of life, of mind and
the science of medicine) it cannot fail to command the immediate and
most earnest examination and discussion by physiologists and by all
who take an interest in that knowledge of "man," which has been truly
termed "the noblest study of mankind."
To avoid the appearance of any foregone conclusion, I would recommend
the adoption for it of some appropriate name, and I venture to suggest
that the force be termed the Psychic Force; the persons in whom it is
manifested in extraordinary power Psychics; and the science relating
to it Psychism as, being a branch of psychology.
The preceding article was published separately by William Crookes in a
special brochure which lies before me,[66] and which contains, in
addition, the following study, not less curious from the human and
anecdotical point of view than from the point of view of the experimenter
in physics:
When I first stated in this journal that I was about to investigate
the phenomena of so-called Spiritualism, the announcement called forth
universal expressions of approval. One said that my "statements
deserved respectful consideration"; another expressed "profound
satisfaction that the subject was about to be investigated by a man so
thoroughly qualified as," etc.; a third was "gratified to learn that
the matter is now receiving the attention of cool and clear-headed
men of recognized position in science"; a fourth asserted that "no one
could doubt Mr. Crookes's ability to conduct the investigation with
rigid philosophical impartiality"; and a fifth was good enough to tell
its readers that "if men like Mr. Crookes grapple with the subject,
taking nothing for granted until it is proved, we shall soon know how
much to believe."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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