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Élizabeth Teissier

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Élizabeth Teissier
Élizabeth Teissier in May 2009.
BornGermaine Élizabeth Hanselmann
(1938-01-06) 6 January 1938 (age 87)
Algiers, French Algeria
NationalityFrench
Occupation(s)Model
Actress
Astrologer
Television presenter
Websitehttp://www.eteissier.com/

Élizabeth Teissier, née Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann (born 6 January 1938 in Algiers), is a French astrologer and former model and actress. Between 1975 and 1976, she created a daily horoscope on French television channel Antenne 2, and in 1981, she launched the Astro Show television programme in Germany. Her personal clients included the President of France, François Mitterrand. A test that compared her predictions against common sense and chance failed to show any evidence of her having any special powers.

She has been involved in several controversies, including the award of a Doctorate in Sociology for her thesis that claimed astrology was being oppressed by science, which was contested by the scientific community, and was criticised for failing to actually work within the field of sociology, and also that it failed to meet the necessary scientific rigour for a doctoral thesis in any scientific field. She also sued the Wikimedia Foundation, claiming her French Misplaced Pages article damaged her her reputation, but lost, with the comments being found to be within the bounds of free criticism.

Biography

Early life

Born to a Swiss father and a French mother, she married André Teissier du Cros in 1960, and gained a Masters in Modern Literature in 1963.

Career

Between 1965 and 1975, she acted in a dozen films, including mainly soft erotic films, but also ones directed by Sydney Pollack (Castle Keep, 1969), Marcel Carné, Philippe de Broca and Yves Robert. She has also worked as a model, notably for Coco Chanel.

In 1968 she became a student of the astrologer Henri Joseph Gouchon on the advice of Federico Fellini. Afterwards, from 1975 to 2009, she had several astrological columns, presented astrology on television, and published pleas for astrology's recognition.

From 1989, she advised the French President, François Mitterrand, who consulted her regularly at the Élysée Palace. Her advice covered both personal matters, such as his health, and matters of state such as the Gulf War and the timing of the Maastricht Treaty referendum. She released transcripts of their recorded conversations four years after his death. For example, he said, "You once told me there were days when it was better to talk, and days when it was better not to talk. When is the next best day for me to speak? Could you check for me?"

Filmography

Television astrology shows

From 1975 to 1983, she hosted a series of television shows making astrological predictions:

  • From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: Astralement vôtre or Interlude astral, daily broadcast on Antenne 2 (now France 2).
  • 1978–1979 : Au Bonheur des astres, weekly show on Antenne 2
  • 1979–1980 : La Légende des Ciels, weekly show on Antenne 2
  • 1980–1983 : Astro Show : on ARD in Germany.

Astrological predictions

According to Teissier, her predictions have a success rate of 80% to 90%. She claims to have predicted events such as the shooting of Ronald Reagan, Black Monday and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Circle Zététique of Languedoc-Roussillon, via a test conducted at the University of Nice from April 2000 to January 2001, argued that her predictions and random predictions by a computer yielded identical results.

A team compared twenty-two forecasts made by Élizabeth Teissier for 2000 to twenty-two forecasts by a group using a common sense reasoning, and twenty-two forecasts made by using a computer to choose random dates. The target was a minimum of 16 successes for Teissier (73%).

Results:

  • Random choice : 8 successes
  • Teissier: 7 successes
  • Common sense : 7 successes.

The experiment concluded that there was no evidence of Élizabeth Teissier having any particular gift, with common-sense predictions or even random chance having equivalent results.

Cancer prediction claims

Élizabeth Teissier sparked controversy and denunciation in September 2007 when she said, in an interview with the Swiss daily newspaper Le Matin, that "in an astrological chart, you can see if you have a predisposition to cancer, and the type of cancer in question" ("dans un thème astral, on peut voir si on a des prédispositions pour le cancer, et la nature du cancer en question") and that "astrology has never killed anyone, unlike medicine" ("l’astrologie n’a jamais tué personne, contrairement à la médecine").

Sociology thesis

In April 7, 2001, Elizabeth Teissier defended her thesis entitled Situation épistémologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination-rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes ("The Epistemological Situation of Astrology in Relation to the Ambivalent Fascination/Rejection of Postmodern Societies") at the University of Paris Descartes under the supervision of Michel Maffesoli and with the jury presided over by Serge Moscovici. The central idea of the thesis was that astrology was being oppressed by science, which she called "official science" and "monolithic thought". It opened with an apocryphal quote, supposedly by Albert Einstein, praising the merits of astrology. Subsequent research showed Einstein had never spoken on the subject. Sociologist Dominique Desjeux described her work as her writing about her experiences as a famous astrologer, with citations to letters from ordinary members of the public, and to François Mitterrand, then president of France, who was one of her clients. He concludes "There is no sociology."

The defense, the cancellation of which the astrophysicist Jean Audouze had requested the day before, was punctuated by a sequence of applause after the introduction, but also proved an opportunity for part of the public attending the thesis (between 200 and 300 people according to witnesses) to show its first signs of protest. Sven Ortoli, editor-in-chief of the magazine Science et Vie Junior, stood up and declared "Je dois partir, mais c’est une farce à laquelle on assiste aujourd’hui. Le roi est nu." (I have to go, but what we are seeing today is a joke. The emperor is naked.) Others simply left while slamming the doors.

The award of a Doctorate in Sociology to Élizabeth Teissier after her defense caused considerable controversy in the scientific community and several sociologists challenged its legitimacy. The award was heavily criticised by French sociologists, including an article in Le Monde on 17 April 2001 by Christian Baudelot and Roger Establet. Many other critical reactions were published in the French press though she had her defenders as well.

A 30 April petition, organised by ASES and signed by over 350 sociologists, was sent to the president of the University Paris Descartes. It stated that the thesis violated basic principles of sociology, and that the award turned astrology into a university discipline and did serious harm to the reputation of the University, French sociology, and the profession of sociology.

Outside of sociology, four French Nobel Prize winners (Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Jean-Marie Lehn, Jean Dausset and Pierre-Gilles de Gennes) protested to Jack Lang, then Minister of Education, about the awarding of the doctorate .

Scientific analysis of the thesis

The scientific, philosophical and sociological aspects of the thesis have been studied by a group of scientists from several disciplines, including members of the Collège de France. It was analysed in detail by a group of astrophysicists (Jean-Claude Pecker, Jean Audouze, Denis Savoie), sociologists (Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois and Dominique Desjeux), a philosopher (Jacques Bouveresse) and specialists in pseudosciences (Henri Broch and Jean-Paul Krivine).

The analysis found it was not supported by sociology or astrophysics, and also failed on epistemological grounds. It concluded the work of Elizabeth Teissier did not meet the requirements of scientific rigor of doctoral research, regardless of the discipline in question.

Lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation

In July 2015, Teissier sued the Wikimedia Foundation, saying the article about her on the French Misplaced Pages damaged her reputation, and required her to have the right of response. She lost the original trial and appeal. In June 2016, The Court of Appeal in Paris dismissed the case, stating that the Wikimedia Foundation had a technical role of hosting provider, and was thus not involved in the content, and that the remarks about Teissier fell within the limits of free criticism.

Bibliography

  • Ne brûlez pas la sorcière, Pauvert, 1970. OCLC 3274316
  • Astralement vôtre : le triomphe d'une vocation, Laffont, 1980. ISBN 9782221005477
  • Astrologie, passion, Hachette, 1992. ISBN 9782010190599
  • with Henri Laborit Étoiles et molécules, Grasset, 1992. ISBN 9782246463412
  • Les Douze Signes du zodiaque, Edition⁰1, 1993. OCLC 492058661
  • Vos étoiles jusqu'en l'an 2001 : la conjoncture mondiale et votre horoscope année par année, Edition⁰1, 1993. ISBN 9782863915417
  • Les étoiles de l'Elysée : astro-portraits, Edition⁰1, 1995. ISBN 9782863916629
  • Sous le signe de Mitterrand, Edition⁰1, 1997. ISBN 9782863918005
  • Le passage de tous les dangers : 1999–2004: à l'aube du troisième millénaire, un survol des influx cosmiques pour vous et pour le monde, Laffont, 1999. ISBN 9782221089262
  • L'homme d'aujourd'hui et les astres : fascination et rejet, Plon, 2001. ISBN 9782259196185
  • Votre horoscope 2009, XO, 2008. ISBN 9782845633872
  • with Gerhard Hynek 2012–2016 : cinq années qui vont changer le monde, XO, 2011. ISBN 9782845635340
  • Est-il votre Mars ? Est-elle votre Vénus ? : petit traité ludique de l'amour et de l'amitié, XO, 2013. ISBN 9782845636040

References

  1. Biography of André Teissier Du Cros, at Éditions Harmattan.fr.
  2. ^ Thierry Ardisson, interview with Élizabeth Teissier, from Tout le monde en parle on France 2, at 10 November 2001.
  3. Template:En icon Filmography of Élizabeth Teissier at iMDB.com.
  4. ET in the Sorbonne: The creation of a doctor in astrology on Skepsis.nl, by Eric Hoogcarspel and Jan Willem Nienhuys
    • From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: Astralement vôtre or Interlude astral, daily broadcast on Antenne 2 (now France 2).
    • April 1976 : publication of Ne brûlez pas la sorcière (une défense de l’astrologie) (Do Not Burn the Witch (A Defense of Astrology), published by J.-J. Pauvert
    • 1977–2003 : Astrology section in the magazine Télé 7 jours ;
    • 1978–1979 : Au Bonheur des astres, weekly show on Antenne 2
    • 1979–1980 : La Légende des Ciels, weekly show on Antenne 2 ;
    • 1980–1983 : Astro Show : sur ARD, ORF and SF in Germany, Austria and Switzerland ;
    • In 1 February 2003, she began publishing in the weekly TV Mag, published by Figaro group.
  6. ^ Hazareesingh, Sudhir (2015), "Darkness and Light", How the French Think, Penguin, pp. 62–63, ISBN 9780141974804
  7. ^ Henley, Jon (25 June 2000), "How Mitterrand sought advice from astrologer", The Observer
  8. Filmweb.pl – Kim jesteś, Polly Maggoo? Example (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
  9. Notre Cinema article on Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo ?
  10. Filmweb.pl – Cast page for Kochany łobuz (a.k.a. Tendre Voyou)
  11. Filmweb.pl – Main page for Kochany łobuz (a.k.a. Tendre Voyou)
  12. Hollywood.com credits list for The Young Wolves
  13. Swedish Film Database page on alternate titles for Young Wolves, by the Swedish Film Institute
  14. cinema.encyclopedie.films.bifi.fr page on Faites donc plaisir aux amis (click on the "Générique artistique" tab to see her listed)
  15. British Film Institute page on Castle Keep
  16. British Film Institute page on The Blood Rose
  17. Sueurs Froides.fr review of Frustration by Philippe Chouvel
  18. Cinema-francais.fr page on Le rempart des Béguines
  19. Universcine.be
  20. British Film Institute page on Roland met de bles
  21. British Film Institute page on L'Événement le plus important depuis que l'homme a marché sur la Lune
  22. Allocine.fr page on Salut l'artiste
  23. Programme-tv.net: L'Incorrigible cast list
  24. Allocine.fr page on L'Incorrigible
  25. Eteissier.com – biographie.
  26. ^ Cercle Zététique du Languedoc-Roussillon, Résultats du Match Teissier/CZLR sur l'année 2000, 2001.
  27. ^ Eakin, Emily (June 2, 2001). "Star Wars: Is Astrology Sociology?". New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  28. Mariella Madonna: «Elle raconte n'importe quoi» (Mariella Madonna: "She says anything") by Fabiano Citroni in Le Matin 14 septembre 2007 ; (copy).
  29. Le Matin, 2 September 2007
  30. ^ Jean-Paul Krivine, « Einstein et l’astrologie : une citation fausse qui a la vie dure », pseudo-sciences.org, December 2001.
  31. Charlotte Rotmann, Polémique universitaire autour de la thèse de sociologie d'Élizabeth Teissier, Libération, 9 avril 2001.
  32. Eric Hoogcarspel et Jan Willem Nienhuys, ET in the Sorbonne.
  33. Serge Paugam, La Pratique de la sociologie, Paris, PUF, 2008, p. 117 ; cf. également Gérald Houdeville, Le Métier de sociologue en France depuis 1945.
  34. Cf. Christian Baudelot, Roger Establet, La sociologie sous une mauvaise étoile, Le Monde, 18 avril 2001 ; a copy is available from homme-moderne.org.
  35. C.f., for example Alain Bourdin, La sociologie, l'antithèse de Teissier, Libération, 19 avril 2001, and the articles published in the press review by the AFIS : part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.
  36. Carte blanche : Astrologie, sociologie et média, Marcel Bolle de Bal, Le Soir, 20 septembre 2001
  37. Daniel Filâtre, Affaire Teissier : historique in Lettre de l'ASES, 30 de décembre 2001
  38. Text of the 20 April 2001 petition to the president of University Paris Descartes; List of signatures
  39. Hervé Morin, La thèse d'Elizabeth Teissier ravive la fracture au sein de la sociologie, Le Monde, 4 mai 2001.
  40. ^ Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois, Dominique Desjeux, Jean Audouze, Henri Broch, Jean-Paul Krivine, Jean-Claude Pecker et Jacques Bouveresse (6 August 2001). "Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier". Retrieved 6 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) ; cf. également, sur la page de Michel Maffesoli, Affaire autour de la thèse de l'astrologue Élizabeth Teissier.
  41. l'analyse d'Henri Broch, 2001 ; Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier, 6 août 2001.
  42. Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois, Dominique Desjeux, Jean Audouze, Henri Broch, Jean-Paul Krivine, Jean-Claude Pecker et Jacques Bouveresse (6 August 2001). "Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier". Retrieved 6 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. « L’astrologue Elizabeth Teissier perd son procès pour modifier Wikipédia », Thierry Noisette, Rue89.com, 21 juin 2016.
  44. Alexis Orsini (21 June 2016). "L'astrologue Elizabeth Teissier déboutée de sa plainte contre la fondation Wikimedia". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  45. « Wikipédia : Elizabeth Tessier déboutée de sa plainte », Jérôme Ivanichtenko, Europe 1.fr, 22 juin 2016.

External links

On her thesis

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