0

4. "Psychic Photograph" 176

5. "Psychic Photograph" 176

6. "Psychic Photograph" 178

7. "Psychic Photograph" 178

8. "Psychic Photograph" 180

9. "Psychic Photograph" 180

10. "Psychic Photograph" 182

11. "Psychic Photograph" 182

12. "Psychic Photograph" 182

13. "Photograph of the Soul" 184

14. "Photograph of the Soul" 184

THE PROBLEMS OF PSYCHICAL RESEARCH

CHAPTER I

IS PSYCHICAL RESEARCH A SCIENCE?

Is Psychical Research a Science?

It seems to me that the answer to this question must be somewhat as
follows: If the phenomena be true, Yes; if not, No!

If _one_ single prophecy, clairvoyant vision, telepathic impulse, or
mediumistic message be true--if veritable supernormal information be
thereby conveyed--then psychical research is a science, and illimitable
avenues are opened up for further research and speculation.

More especially is this true in the case of mediumistic messages. If
these prove to be delusory--the result of subliminal activity and so
forth--if there be no spiritual world, then "psychics" may be said to be
"founded upon the sand." It can hardly be called a "science." Only when
the _fact_ of communication is proved, will the real study of the
subject begin. Much of the work, up to the present, has been undertaken
with a view to establishing the reality of the facts. But this is a
question of evidence, not scientific research. When the facts themselves
are established, then the real study--the work of the future--will
begin. It will probably be the task of future generations to attack the
problem from this standpoint.

Let me illustrate what I mean by a somewhat striking example. Take the
facts presented in the case of Mrs. Piper. Hitherto the question has
resolved itself into that of the _evidence_ for survival. Have or have
not the various personalities who have communicated through her
entranced organism proved their personal identity? That is the problem;
and, as we know, opinions differ! But, granting the reality of the
facts, granting that "spirits" really do communicate, as alleged--then
the study of the question, from the "scientific" point of view, will
only have begun. _How_ do they communicate? Why are these communicati