Phantasms of the Living, Vol. I

...a possibility is suggested of obtaining scientific evidence of a supersensory relation between man’s mind and a mind or minds above his own. xlviii–li

§ 11. If, on the other hand, our evidence for recent supernormal occurrences is discredited, a retrospective improbability will be cast upon much of the content of religious tradition. li–liv

§ 12. Furthermore, regarding ethical and aesthetic emotion, telepathy indicates a possible scientific basis for much to which men now cling without definite justification. liv–lvii

§ 13. Investigations like ours are important, moreover, for the purpose of checking error and fraud, as well as for eliciting truth. lvii–lix

§ 14. Place of the present book in the field of psychical research. Indications of experimental thought-transference in the normal state, 1876–1882. lx

§ 15. Foundation of the Society for Psychical Research, 1882. Telepathy selected as our first subject for detailed treatment on account of the mass of evidence we received for it. lxi

§ 16. There is also a theoretical fitness in treating of the direct action of mind upon mind before dealing with other supernormal phenomena. lxii-lxiii

§ 17. Reasons for classing apparitions occurring about the moment of death as phantoms of the living, rather than of the dead. lxiii–lxv

§ 18. This book claims to show: (1) that experimental telepathy exists; (2) that apparitions at death are a result of something beyond chance; and (3) that these experimental and spontaneous cases of the action of mind on mind are in some way allied. lxv–lxvii

§ 19. As to the nature and degree of this alliance, different views may be taken. In a “Note on a Suggested Mode of Psychical Interaction” in Vol. II, a theory somewhat different from Mr. Gurney’s is set forth. lxvii–lxix

§ 20. This book, however, consists much more largely of evidence than of theories. This evidence has been almost entirely collected by ourselves. lxix–lxx