🔻
This is an important critical study of reincarnation claims, which does a through exposé of much of the alleged evidence. Even Dr Ian Stevenson's studies, which have been held in high repute by parapsychologists, are shown to be seriously defective. As Wilson points out, the overwhelming majority of Indians are poor peasants, yet almost all cases of reincarnation ' involved past lives of Brahmins , wealthy people, etc.
It is Wilson's treatment of hypnotic regression which will be of most interest to readers of Magonia. Wilson is not content just to record the weaknesses of such claims, but asks "why can people recall imaginary past lives with such obvious emotion?" He notes the similarity of cases of 'reincarnation' with those of multiple personality, and uses Ernest Hilgard 's theory of the ' hidden observer' acting as a sort of mental stage director providing scenes for the conscious mind to act in.
Hilgard's theory has some similarities to the late G N M Tyrrell's theory of apparitions, and it is significant that Wilson appreciates the importance of Marten Schatzman's study of 'Ruth' and notes a case in which a schoolgirl falsely accused a man of sexually assaulting her, and how this very convincing story was shown to be a fantasy based on popular novels, and concludes " ... from such cases as these it is evident that unconsciously generated fantasies are a phenomenon stretching far beyond past-life claims ..."
I have little doubt that similar mechanisms are at work in many UFO experiences, and studies like this convince me that the chances of a psychological explanation for many UFO incidents is steadily growing . While warning of the dangers of hypnotic regression, Wilson admits that there are a few cases where such a psychological explanation seems difficult. I do not find these 'nuggets' convincing evidence for reincarnation, though they might provide evidence for ESP . I thoroughly recommend this book. -- Peter Rogerson, from Magonia 8, January 1982.
No comments:
Post a Comment