Psychical research / by Sir W.F. Barrett.

  • William F. Barrett
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Psychical research / by Sir W.F. Barrett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    spiritualistic phenomena, etc., as supernatural is obviously incorrect. Even if established they would not lie beyond nor outside nature, but merely beyond our ordinary normal exper- ience. They are, in fine, supernormal pheno- mena, and that word, first suggested by Mr. F. W. H. Myers, will be used throughout this book to denote the objects of psychical research. Then arises the question, is it worth while to spend time on subjects which the scientific world has until lately regarded as relics of superstition, and which are still so regarded by many ? It is true that there is now a growing and marked change of opinion in this respect among many of the foremost men of science in every civilized country. But official science as a body still looks askance at psychical research and speaks of its adherents as more or less credulous and superstitious. What is meant by superstition ? Etymologic- ally it means the standing over an occur- rence, in amazement or awe; shutting out the light of inquiry and reason. Where this light enters a mystery is no longer enshrouded by helplessly standing over it, but we begin to understand it. Superstition is, therefore, the antithesis of understanding, and of that faith in the intelligibility of nature which forms the foundation of science and the hope of all intellectual progress. In a lecture on Science and Superstition which the writer heard the Rev. Charles Kingsle}’- deliver at the Royal Institution in
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