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| ], composed of electoplasm]] | ], composed of electoplasm]] | ||
| In ], '''ectoplasm''' |
In ], '''ectoplasm''' (From the Greek ektos, “outside,” + plasma, “something formed or molded”) is a term coined by Charles Richet to denote a substance or ] "exteriorized" by physical ]. Sometimes materializations of ] are formed from this substance, and some say that it makes ] possible.<ref>http://parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#e Parapsychological Association website, Glossary of Key Words Frequently Used in Parapsychology, Retrieved January 24, 2006</ref> | ||
| ==History== | |||
| The word ectoplasm from the Greek meaning literally “exteriorized substance” was coined by Professor Charles Richet, Professor of Physiology at the Sorbonne in Paris, a winner of the Nobel Prize and member of the prestigious Institute de France who investigated it for thirty years. | |||
| In the early ], photographs claiming to show ectoplasm were occasionally published; these were mostly shown to be ]ulent. Often the medium would have concealed ] or a similar substance about their person to produce at an appropriate moment. {{fact}} Numerous studies were carried out in the 1950s and 60s to attempt to prove the existence of ectoplasm, including experiments by spiritualists who have attempted to show that ectoplasm projects itself from people during ]. {{fact}} | In the early ], photographs claiming to show ectoplasm were occasionally published; these were mostly shown to be ]ulent.{{fact}} Often the medium would have concealed ] or a similar substance about their person to produce at an appropriate moment. {{fact}} Numerous studies were carried out in the 1950s and 60s to attempt to prove the existence of ectoplasm, including experiments by spiritualists who have attempted to show that ectoplasm projects itself from people during ]. {{fact}} | ||
| Professor Richet concluded that: ''"There is ample proof that experimental materialization (ectoplasmic) should take definite rank as a scientific fact. Assuredly we do not understand it. It is very absurd, if a truth can be absurd"'' (for more details see {{cite book | Professor Richet concluded that: ''"There is ample proof that experimental materialization (ectoplasmic) should take definite rank as a scientific fact. Assuredly we do not understand it. It is very absurd, if a truth can be absurd"'' (for more details see {{cite book | ||
Revision as of 05:03, 24 January 2007
In parapsychology, ectoplasm (From the Greek ektos, “outside,” + plasma, “something formed or molded”) is a term coined by Charles Richet to denote a substance or spiritual energy "exteriorized" by physical mediums. Sometimes materializations of spirits are formed from this substance, and some say that it makes psychokinesis possible.
History
In the early twentieth century, photographs claiming to show ectoplasm were occasionally published; these were mostly shown to be fraudulent. Often the medium would have concealed cheesecloth or a similar substance about their person to produce at an appropriate moment. Numerous studies were carried out in the 1950s and 60s to attempt to prove the existence of ectoplasm, including experiments by spiritualists who have attempted to show that ectoplasm projects itself from people during meditation.
Professor Richet concluded that: "There is ample proof that experimental materialization (ectoplasmic) should take definite rank as a scientific fact. Assuredly we do not understand it. It is very absurd, if a truth can be absurd" (for more details see Richet, Charles (1923). Our Sixth Sense.).
Besides this conclusion ectoplasm is not accepted as true by many mainstream scientists.
The term ectoplasm was used in a similar sense in the 1984 film Ghostbusters and its sequel, and in the 2002 British television series Look Around You
See also
External Links
http://www.survivalafterdeath.org/articles/richet/conclusions.htm
- http://parapsych.org/glossary_e_k.html#e Parapsychological Association website, Glossary of Key Words Frequently Used in Parapsychology, Retrieved January 24, 2006