Apparitions and Thought-Transference
An Examination of the Evidence for Telepathy

Detailed and colourful exploration of telepathy and clairvoyance by psychical researcher Frank Podmore, first published in 1894.

Frank Podmore (Author)

9781108028059, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 May 2011

422 pages, 24 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.4 cm, 0.53 kg

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.

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.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]