The epistemologies of research on the survival of consciousness after death in the golden era of the Society for Psychical Research (1882–1930)

Bibliographic Data

ID19445604
AuthorsPedro Henrique Costa de Resende (0000-0001-6313-7870, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, corresponding author), Alexander Moreira-Almeida (0000-0002-9135-2532, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil), Humberto Schubert Coelho (0000-0001-9164-5741, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil)
Year2023
Volume34
Issue3
Pages287-304
Publication date2023-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHistory of Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-154X • E-ISSN: 1740-2360
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0957154x231175575
PMID37272412
OpenAlexW4379376613
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited9

The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) of London was founded in 1882 with the purpose of investigating psychical phenomena, especially the theme of survival, with scientific rigour. Despite the recognized importance of the SPR for dynamic psychiatry in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, there are few studies of its epistemological contributions to the theme of survival and its implications to science. In order to fill this gap, we have consulted the main journals of the SPR in its golden period, and highlight the epistemologies of Sidgwick, Myers, James, Podmore, Schiller, Lodge and Richet. We conclude that the authors, whether for or against survival, argued in defence of an expanded science, and looked forward to understanding the complexity of human experience

Aesthetics · Biology · Consciousness · Epistemology · Psychoanalysis · Rigour · Sociology · Survival of the fittest · Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices · History · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Psychology · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices

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