Reincarnation: A Study in Human Evolution

Pascal, Théophile, 1860-1909Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 396K words
Chapters: 40

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Reincarnation: A Study in Human Evolution by Théophile PascalAuthor: Pascal, Théophile, 1860-1909,Language: English, Class: BP: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Islam, Bahaism, Theosophy, Other and new beliefs, Release Date: May 19, 2007

Editor's review

Written by Théophile Pascal, this book falls under philosophy, psychology, and religion—specifically the category of Theosophy and other emerging beliefs—and centers on the concept of reincarnation and human evolution. Its value lies in showing how late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century European thinkers discussed reincarnation, evolution, and spiritual development within a single framework; it is a primary text for understanding the origins of modern spiritual movements. It should be read not as empirical science but as intellectual history: how the author structures his arguments, which traditional resources he draws on, and how he responds to the scientific discourse of his time are all worth noting. It suits readers interested in philosophy of religion, Theosophy, and comparative religion for thematic reading. Because it was written long ago, some views are distant from contemporary scholarship; read it with a critical eye and compare it with general works on religious studies.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Scholars and students studying Theosophy and emerging religious movements
Readers interested in reincarnation and comparative philosophy of religion
Researchers needing original public-domain texts of spiritual thought
Readers who enjoy intellectual history and can accept older modes of argument

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking contemporary empirical scientific conclusions
Those hoping for psychotherapy or practical life guidance
General readers with no interest in philosophy of religion

Reading tips

Begin with the introduction or opening chapters to grasp the author's central questions and argumentative framework.
Read alongside a general work on religious studies or Theosophy to clarify the sources of key concepts.
Take notes on the author's argumentative steps as you read, distinguishing statements of belief from empirical argument.
There is no need to read every page; select chapters by theme and take excerpts.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is there scientific evidence for the reincarnation concept discussed in this book?

This book belongs to early twentieth-century religious philosophy and Theosophical writing, not contemporary empirical scientific research. It presents a mode of argument from the intellectual world of its time; read it as a text in intellectual history, not as a scientific conclusion.

Can I read this book without knowing anything about Theosophy?

Yes, but it helps to first acquire some basic knowledge of Theosophy and the nineteenth-century spiritual movements; otherwise some terminology and argumentative context will be hard to grasp. Reading alongside a general introduction will make it much smoother.

How difficult is the English in this book?

The text is a public-domain English work from an earlier era, with long sentences and many abstract concepts. University-level English reading ability will allow you to grasp the main ideas; when you encounter religious-philosophical terminology, look it up before continuing.

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About the author

Pascal, Théophile, 1860-1909 Author · French · 1860–1909

Théophile Pascal (1860–1909) was a French author whose life and educational background are poorly documented in publicly available sources; later knowledge of him comes chiefly from the works he left behind. Among the titles held here is Reincarnation: A Study in Human Evolution, which suggests that his writing centred on the idea of reincarnation and on human evolution, a subject with religious, philosophical and speculative overtones. Judging from the title and the direction of the argument, he was not content merely to set out doctrine but sought to examine reincarnation within a broader framework of human development, in a style that emphasises reasoning and exposition and bears the mark of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century French popular scholarship. Such works circulated among readers interested in theosophy and psychical research and are still mentioned by those concerned with reincarnation and evolutionary thought. Given the limited sources, details of his career and intellectual formation cannot be described here.