Apollonius : or, The present and future of psychical research

At the turn of the twentieth century, a once‑maligned field of inquiry began to earn a place among serious scientific disciplines. Drawing on the work of philosophers, physicians and literary figures, the author charts how investigators have moved beyond superstition to treat telepathy, mediumship and other anomalous phenomena with disciplined observation. The narrative highlights both the early triumphs of pioneers such as Myers and James and the more recent, though uneven, advances in experimental methods.

Yet the book warns that the scholarly momentum has stalled, especially in English‑speaking countries where the literary output no longer matches the rigor of the pioneers. It contrasts this with a booming popular Spiritualist movement that embraces the same mysteries without the tools of critical inquiry. With particular attention to recent European work, the author argues that the future of psychical research hinges on renewed academic commitment and the disciplined collaboration of scientists across borders.