Bøker av William Barrett

Skeptics say that dowsing has not been proven to work. They are wrong.Many years ago, William Barrett, Professor of Physics at what was later to become University College Dublin, embarked on the most detailed review and analysis of water dowsing ever undertaken. Originally a skeptic, he found enough unexplainable anomalies to intrigue him into diving deeper. At first, he hoped simply to disprove the whole activity once and for all.He examined the scientific objections to water dowsing, made meticulous and innumerable inquiries into reported cases, sought geologists' opinions and gradually came to realize that this was a subject with deep implications.The result was the most complete and thorough investigation of water dowsing ever undertaken. Unsurpassed in its detail and scientific vigor, the two papers he wrote (a promised third never materialized), are here presented for the first time as a complete work, including all illustrations and appendices. An index has also been compiled to help navigate this extensive work.For water dowsers everywhere, indeed, for anyone interested in the dowsing phenomenon, this is a remarkable study. In sheer scope, detail and analysis, no other investigation can begin to approach it.Packed with letters, stories, and examples from around the world, Professor Barrett makes it quite clear that the dowsing phenomenon is real and that it opens up new vistas on what it is to be human.In addition to the in-depth investigation, you will discover a fascinating history of dowsing as well as the only careful study of the origin of the word itself. Professor Barrett's work is long due the respect it deserves, and this compilation of his years of study, research and experimentation should help to bring that about. Edited and commentary by Nigel Percy.

Sir William Fletcher Barrett spent over half a century in psychical research, during which time he observed and documented a variety of different types of psychic phenomena and activity. His work has been credited with demonstrating the existence of the invisible and unseen spiritual world, including the survival of consciousness after the death of the physical body.A recognised and respected force behind the Society For Psychical research, this book provides some interesting insights into near death experiences, and includes accounts from those present at the time of death.

Sir William Fletcher Barrett (February 10, 1844 - May 26, 1925) was Professor of Physics at the Royal College of Science for Dublin from 1873-1910 and one of the distinguished early psychical researchers. He was instrumental in the founding of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in 1882, serving as vice-president and editor of the Society's Journal during its first year and he became president in 1904. He also encouraged Professor William James of Harvard to organize the American branch of the SPR. in 1884.First published in 1917, On the Threshold of the Unseen is Barrett's examination of spiritualism, psychic phenomena, and life after death.Topics covered include, science and scepticism, automatic writing, clairvoyance, telepathy, direct voice, spirit photography, and much more.During his 50 years of psychical research, Barrett observed many types of psychic phenomena. Recalling his past experiences at a private meeting of the SPR on June 17, 1924, less than a year before his death, Barrett said: "I am personally convinced that the evidence we have published decidedly demonstrates, the existence of a spiritual world, survival after death, and of occasional communication from those who have passed over... It is however hardly possible to convey to others who have not had a similar experience an adequate idea of the strength and cumulative force of the evidence that has compelled [my] belief."Almost a century later, On the Threshold of the Unseen is still considered essential reading of anyone interested in psychical research and survival of consciousness after physical death.

Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist philosophy ever written, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Barrett speaks eloquently and directly to concerns of the 1990s: a period when the irrational and the absurd are no better integrated than before and when humankind is in even greater danger of destroying its existence without ever understanding the meaning of its existence. Irrational Man begins by discussing the roots of existentialism in the art and thinking of Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Baudelaire, Blake, Dostoevski, Tolstoy, Hemingway, Picasso, Joyce, and Beckett. The heart of the book explains the views of the foremost existentialists-Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. The result is a marvelously lucid definition of existentialism and a brilliant interpretation of its impact.