Psychic Investigators: Anthropology, Modern Spiritualism, and Credible Witnessing in the Late Victorian Age illuminates the historical and scientific study of Spiritualism in the late Victorian Age and conveys the important impact of that study on current anthropology and parapsychology. This meticulously researched work offers a captivating historical analysis and explores the ways early anthropologists and parapsychologists investigated spiritual phenomena during that period.
The book stands out for its thorough exploration of the methodologies and perspectives of four key figures, each representing a distinct stance on Spiritualism: Alfred Russell Wallace (“the believer”), Edward B. Tylor (“the skeptic”), Andrew Lang (“the revisionist”), and Henry Sidgwick (“the disbeliever”). Through these figures, Sera-Shriar illustrates a spectrum of belief systems and highlights the crucial debates surrounding each and how those belief systems continue to affect modern parapsychological inquiry.
Psychic Investigators is an engaging book with clear writing and a well-organized presentation. The book expertly examines the historical context of Spiritualism, addressing long-standing issues such as the credibility of witnesses and the quality of observation—core topics that are crucial for the integrity of parapsychological research. The book’s narrative voice is both compelling and informative, ensuring that readers are engaged throughout.
Sera-Schriar shows the importance of the scientific study of Spiritualism in the Victorian Age for the academic disciplines of anthropology and ethnology. He does this through Tylor’s theory of animism, which posited that belief in spirits would diminish with cultural and social development. This theory’s validity was challenged by the possibility of genuine contact with the spirits of the deceased during Spiritualist séances or haunting cases. This historical discourse shows that arguments regarding the validity of Spiritualism persist from the Victorian Age to the present day.
The book illuminates how the scientific investigation of Spiritualism was not merely a fringe endeavor but a significant factor in advancing anthropological theory. Central problems for clarifying questions around research methods—such as the evaluation of the credibility of witness statements and the quality of observation—are also critical for ethnology and are addressed.
Although it is not written specifically for readers with a parapsychological background, Psychic Investigators provides a wealth of enlightening information, making it a valuable resource for both historical scholars and modern parapsychologists. The writing exemplifies excellence in historical and interdisciplinary research. Its significant contributions to understanding early psychical research and its ongoing relevance to contemporary parapsychology have merited its well-deserved recognition by the Parapsychological Association.
The Parapsychological Association Book Award was established in 2015 to recognize books in the field of parapsychology that make significant contributions to science and to the cultural conversation about the implications of parapsychology. Visit the PA Book Award Page to learn more about the award and previous winners.
