The Law of Psychic Phenomena 1893

by Thomson Jay Hudson

I do not expect this book to stand upon its literary merits; for if it is unsound in principle, felicity of diction cannot save it, and if sound, homeliness of expression cannot destroy it. My primary object in offering it to the public is to assist in bringing Psychology within the domain of the exact sciences. That this has never been accomplished is owing to the fact that no successful attempt has been made to formulate a working hypothesis sufficiently comprehensive to embrace all psychic phenomena. It has, however, long been felt by the ablest thinkers of our time that all psychic manifestations of the human intellect, normal or abnormal, whether designated by the name of mesmerism, hypnotism, somnambulism, trance, spiritism, demonology, miracle, mental therapeutics, genius, or insanity, are in some way related; and consequently, that they are to be referred to some general principle or law, which, once understood, will simplify and correlate the whole subject-matter, and possibly remove it from the domain of the supernatural. The London Society for Psychical Research, whose ramifications extend all over the civilized world, was organized for the purpose of making a systematic search for that law. The Society numbers among its membership many of the ablest scientists now living. Its methods of investigation are purely scientific, and painstaking to the last degree, and its field embraces all psychic phenomena. It has already accumulated and verified a vast array of facts of the most transcendent interest and importance. In the mean time a large number of the ablest scientists of Europe and America have been pursuing independent investigations in the phenomena of hypnotism. They too have accumulated facts and discovered principles of vast importance, especially in the field of mental therapeutics, - principles which also throw a flood of light upon the general subject of Psychology. This vast array of facts, thus accumulated and verified, and awaiting scientific classification and analysis, would seem to justify at least a tentative effort to apply to them the processes of induction, to the end that the fundamental law of psychic phenomena may be discovered.

Genres: Psychology

420 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1895

About the author

Thomson Jay Hudson was chief examiner of the US Patent Office and psychical researcher, known for his three laws of psychic phenomena, which were first published in 1893.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomson_...

Reviews

[AHR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you enjoy topics like hypnosis and the power of the mind.

[Daniel Cotoara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I wanted from this book was to see how people try to find out how the brain works when technology wasn't on their side because around 1850-1900, really there wasn't a lot. As a response, yes I find out that there were much smart people on that days that somehow discover that the mind has basically 2 systems (objective, subjective). And with these two you as a people can make a lot of things, even cure you or others from some diseases that exists in your mind.
Almost everything you do it depends on what you learn to do, by that means what you learn your brain to do, you will do it, no matter that you know(realize) it or don't.
Some things can be hard to understand not because the author speaks in heavy terms, but because explanations are in simple words, words that you cannot associate with your current knowledge or because you don't know enough about the mental therapeutics.
Learning is the key, and that can begin to know more about your brain and how it works!

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

First it is important to know that this book was originally published in the late 19th century (the preface was 1892). It needs to exclusively be treated as a historical document. Much of the book is about various aspects of hypnosis which were incorrect even back in the 19th century and are certainly incorrect in the 21st century. It is written in such a way as to almost be gaslighting to any present day hypnotist. It speaks in absolutes and very little of it is correct and then in the latter part of the book starts to discuss Jesus. If you are looking for actual information on hypnosis, spiritualism, or whatnot, this would not be the book to read. I will give it a 3 on LT, and a 2 on GR simply due to the value as a historical artifact.

[Paulette Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an historical resource and a product of its era, this book is a good general overview of psychic phenomena. Be aware that the science, especially regarding psychology and hypnosis, is very outdated and there are strong Christian overtones. This is definitely not a secular, unbiased resource. It was an entertaining read and the anecdotes mentioned within the text were fascinating. A few of them even helped generate some potential story ideas for future projects.

[Wendy 'windmill' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Very interesting, very detailed, good case accounts. A few mistakes in the texts, but nothing too distracting. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Gypsy Novela · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome view on the topic when it was becoming an american fad, the vocabulary of the time is very comedic archaicly. sort of an arisotlean text of the american ocult psychic phenomena.

[Nomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless book!
Be sure to read it slowly and reread it again.

[Delia Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book