Apparitions and thought-transference an examination of the evidence for telepathy / Frank Podmore.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Podmore, Frank, author.

Series:

Cambridge library collection.

Cambridge library collection

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Apparitions.

Ghosts.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (422 pages).

Other Title:

Apparitions and thought-transference

Place of Publication:

London : Walter Scott Publishing Co, 1894.

Summary:

Frank Podmore (1856-1910) was a paranormal researcher and socialist who co-founded the Fabian Society. He became interested in spiritualism while studying at Oxford and joined the Society for Psychical Research. Forced to leave his employment at the Post Office amid rumours of a homosexual scandal, Podmore was later found drowned in suspicious circumstances. This 1894 volume is a detailed and comprehensive study of a variety of unexplained phenomena. The author reviews numerous scientific tests of telepathic ability involving the transmission of thoughts, tastes and images (illustrated by reproduction of sketches purportedly sent between psychics). Also reported are researches into clairvoyance, automatic writing and even attempts to induce sleep using telepathy. The author explores a variety of rational explanations for the phenomena, including fraud and the influence of hypnosis and suggestibility. Diligent and carefully argued, Podmore's examination of the scientific study of the supernatural is also colourful and enthralling.

Contents:

Preface

1. Introductory

2. Experimental transference of simple sensations in the normal state

3. Experimental transference of simple sensations with hypnotised percipients

4. Experimental production of movements and other effects

5. Experimental production of telepathic effects at a distance

6. General criticism of the evidence for spontaneous thought-transference

7. Transference of ideas and emotions

8. Coincident dreams

9. On hallucination in general

10. Induced telepathic hallucinations

11. Spontaneous telepathic hallucinations

12. Collective hallucinations

13. Some less common types of telepathic hallucination

14. On clairvoyance in trance

15. On clairvoyance in normal state

16. Theories and conclusions

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.