G. T. Fechner: Difference between revisions

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'''Gustav Theodor Fechner''' (April 19, 1801 – November 18, 1887), was a German experimental psychologist. He was (provably erroneously) thought to be the "G. H. Fechner" mentioned by [[Koot Hoomi|Master K.H.]] in one of his letters:
'''Gustav Theodor Fechner''' (April 19, 1801 – November 18, 1887), was a German experimental psychologist interested in [[Spiritualism]]. He was the "G. H. Fechner" mentioned by [[Koot Hoomi|Master K.H.]] in one of his letters:


<blockquote>I may answer you, what I said to G. H. Fechner one day, when he wanted to know the Hindu view on what he had written — "You are right; . . . 'every diamond, every crystal, every plant and star has its own individual soul, besides man and animal . . .' and, 'there is a hierarchy of souls from the lowest forms of matter up to the World Soul' . . ."<ref>Theosophy Wiki [[Mahatma Letter No. 18#Page 13|Mahatma Letter No. 18, pages 13-14]].</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>I may answer you, what I said to G. H. Fechner one day, when he wanted to know the Hindu view on what he had written — "You are right; . . . 'every diamond, every crystal, every plant and star has its own individual soul, besides man and animal . . .' and, 'there is a hierarchy of souls from the lowest forms of matter up to the World Soul' . . ."<ref>Theosophy Wiki [[Mahatma Letter No. 18#Page 13|Mahatma Letter No. 18, pages 13-14]].</ref></blockquote>


When Prof. G. T. Fechner was asked about having met a Hindu at Leipzig, he said he did, although clarifying that the name of the Hindu concerned was [[Nisi Kanta Chattopadhyaya]], not Koot Hoomi. Some [[Theosophist]]s thought this was a pseudonym used by Master K.H. However, in an article published in [[The Canadian Theosophist (periodical)|''The Canadian Theosophist'']], [[Charles J. Ryan]] showed that this was not the case, and sought to correct the idea that the "G. H. Fechner" mentioned in the letter was psychologist Gustav Theodor Fechner.<ref>Charles J. Ryan, "An Important Correction," ''The Canadian Theosophist'' (December 15, 1936), 326-329. Accessed online at Blavatsky Archives [http://blavatskyarchives.com/ryancorrection.htm]. See also Cox's work, ''Who Wrote the March-Hare Attack on the Mahatma Letters?'' Victoria, British Columbia, Canada:  H.P.B. Library, 1936.</ref>
The ideas quoted in this Letter had been reported in the ''The N. Y. Nation'', as follows:
 
<blockquote>He endeavors to make out that every diamond, every crystal, every plant, planet, and star has its own individual soul, besides man and animals; that there is a hierarchy of souls from the lowest forms of matter up to the world-soul--a sort of eclectic, semi-pantheistic nondescript; and that the spirits of the departed hold psychic communication with souls that are still connected with a human frame.<ref>''The N. Y. Nation'', Oct. 2, 1879, p. 229.</ref></blockquote>
 
When Prof. Fechner was asked about having met a Hindu at Leipzig, he said he did, although clarified that the name of the Hindu concerned was [[Nisi Kanta Chattopadhyaya]], not Koot Hoomi. Some [[Theosophist]]s thought this was a pseudonym used by Master K.H. However, this was not the case, as reported by [[Charles J. Ryan]] in an article published in [[The Canadian Theosophist (periodical)|''The Canadian Theosophist'']].<ref>Charles J. Ryan, "An Important Correction," ''The Canadian Theosophist'' (December 15, 1936), 326-329. Accessed online at Blavatsky Archives [http://blavatskyarchives.com/ryancorrection.htm]. See also Cox's work, ''Who Wrote the March-Hare Attack on the Mahatma Letters?'' Victoria, British Columbia, Canada:  H.P.B. Library, 1936.</ref>


== Writings ==
== Writings ==

Revision as of 16:52, 14 June 2019

Gustav Theodor Fechner (April 19, 1801 – November 18, 1887), was a German experimental psychologist interested in Spiritualism. He was the "G. H. Fechner" mentioned by Master K.H. in one of his letters:

I may answer you, what I said to G. H. Fechner one day, when he wanted to know the Hindu view on what he had written — "You are right; . . . 'every diamond, every crystal, every plant and star has its own individual soul, besides man and animal . . .' and, 'there is a hierarchy of souls from the lowest forms of matter up to the World Soul' . . ."[1]

The ideas quoted in this Letter had been reported in the The N. Y. Nation, as follows:

He endeavors to make out that every diamond, every crystal, every plant, planet, and star has its own individual soul, besides man and animals; that there is a hierarchy of souls from the lowest forms of matter up to the world-soul--a sort of eclectic, semi-pantheistic nondescript; and that the spirits of the departed hold psychic communication with souls that are still connected with a human frame.[2]

When Prof. Fechner was asked about having met a Hindu at Leipzig, he said he did, although clarified that the name of the Hindu concerned was Nisi Kanta Chattopadhyaya, not Koot Hoomi. Some Theosophists thought this was a pseudonym used by Master K.H. However, this was not the case, as reported by Charles J. Ryan in an article published in The Canadian Theosophist.[3]

Writings

On Life After Death. Chicago: The Open Court Publishing Company, 1917. 3rd edition.

Notes

  1. Theosophy Wiki Mahatma Letter No. 18, pages 13-14.
  2. The N. Y. Nation, Oct. 2, 1879, p. 229.
  3. Charles J. Ryan, "An Important Correction," The Canadian Theosophist (December 15, 1936), 326-329. Accessed online at Blavatsky Archives [1]. See also Cox's work, Who Wrote the March-Hare Attack on the Mahatma Letters? Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: H.P.B. Library, 1936.