Spirits and the Spirit World - Revision history

TCDE-Team at 13:23, 12 November 2025

2025-11-12T13:23:50Z

TCDE-Team at 10:38, 9 December 2022

2022-12-09T10:38:03Z

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''Spirits and the Spirit World'' is an article written by [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] published in the [[Evening Standard]] on 9 january 1920 and reprinted in [[Light]] on 17 january 1920 as ''A Critic's "Logical Questions"''.

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== Editions ==

* in ''[[Evening Standard]]'' (9 january 1920 [UK])
* in ''[[Light]]'' (17 january 1920 [UK]) as ''A Critic's "Logical Questions"''

== Spirits and the Spirit World ==
[[File:evening-standard-1920-01-09-p8-spirits-and-the-spirit-world.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[Evening Standard]] (9 january 1920, p. 8)]]

'''SIR A. CONAN DOYLE REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.'''

'''"VITAL PROPOSITIONS."'''

'''ASSERTIONS "USUALLY FALSE AND SOMETIMES OFFENSIVE."'''

The questions published in the "Evening Standard" a few days ago from Mr. Newman Harding (Society of Authors) on the subject of Spiritualism and the spirit world have excited much interest.

Mr. Newman Harding addressed his questions to [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Sir A. Conan Doyle]], and to-day Sir Conan Doyle writes to the "Evening Standard" as follows:—

'''Some Spiritual Questions.'''

"Mr. Newman Harding shows the limitations of his knowledge by alluding to the Spiritualist position as if it rested upon the assertions of two sawn, Sir Oliver Lodge and myself.

"Has he never consulted the writings of Sir William Crookes, Professor Hyslop, Professor Lombroso, Dr. Geley, Charles Richet, Dr. Crawford, of Belfast, W. T. Stead, Professor Hare, Judge Edmonds, and so many more?

"If he has done so he has no right to state the case as if it rested upon two witnesses; if he has not done so he should consult the recognised authorities before asking long lists of questions which would take a volume to answer.

"On examining this list I find that most of these questions are not really questions at all, but assertions, usually false and sometimes offensive. The mentality which can ask, 'How is it that spirits never have any communications to make that will benefit and advance mankind?' on the assumption that the fate of the human race and the present condition of our loved ones who have gone before is of no consequence to mankind, is to me unthinkable.

'''The Function of Higher Beings.'''

"Is it not evident that the function of higher beings is to minister to our spiritual needs and knowledge, not to invent motor engines or to instruct us in chemistry? We should become automata if we were to allow our world to be run from the outside.

"There are only two vital propositions in Spiritualism. These are that personality survives death without a change; the other that under proper physical conditions communication is still possible.

"Professor Hyslop, the highest authority in America, says in his recent work, 'Life After Death' (p. 306): 'Any man who does not accept the existence of discarnate spirits and the proof of is is either ignorant or a moral coward.' I believe that to be a perfectly just dilemma.

"As to those questions of minute detail which snake up the long catechism of Mr. Newman Harding, their answer is insignificant compared with the importance of the main thesis. A great quantity of information has been gathered and certain conclusions have been formed, but there is latitude for dissent, and no Spiritualist would make such points a touchstone of the faith."

== A Critic's "Logical Questions" ==
[[File:light-1920-01-17-p19-a-critics-logical-questions.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[Light]] (17 january 1920, p. 19)]]

'''Sir A. Conan Doyle on the "Main Thesis."'''

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle replied as follows in the "Evening Standard" of January 9th:—

"Mr. Newman Harding shows the limitations of his knowledge by alluding to the Spiritualist Position as if it rested upon the assertions of two men, Sir Oliver Lodge and myself.

"Has he never consulted the writings of Sir William Crookes, Professor Hyslop, Professor Lombroso, Dr. Geley, Charles Richet, Dr. Crawford of Belfast, W. T. Stead, Professor Hare, Judge Edmonds, and so many more?

"If he has done so he has no right to state the case as if it rested upon two witnesses; if he has not done so he should consult the recognised authorities before asking long lists of questions which would take a volume to answer.

"On examining this list I find that most of these questions are not really questions at all, but assertions, usually false and sometimes offensive. The mentality which can ask, 'How is it that spirits never have any Communications to make that will benefit and advance mankind?' on the assumption that the fate of the human race and the present condition of our loved ones who have gone before is of no consequence to mankind, is to me unthinkable.

"Is it not evident that the function of higher beings is to minister to our spiritual needs and knowledge, not to invent motor engines or to instruct us in chemistry? We should become automata if we were to allow our world to be run from the outside.

"There are only two vital propositions in Spiritualism. These are that personality survives death without a change; the other that under proper physical conditions communication is still possible.

"Professor Hyslop, the highest authority in America, says in his recent work. 'Life After Death' (p. 306): 'Any man who does not accept the existence of discarnate spirits and the proof of it is either ignorant or a moral coward.' I believe that to be a perfectly just dilemma.

"As to those questions of minute detail which make up the long catechism of Mr. Newman Harding, their answer is insignificant compared with the importance of the main thesis. A great quantity of Information has been gathered and certain conclusions have been formed, but there is latitude for dissent, and no Spiritualist would make such points a touchstone of the truth."

----
* [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:Complete Works|Back to Complete Works]]
* [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle|Back to Conan Doyle]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:23, 12 November 2025
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	''Spirits and the Spirit World'' is an article written by [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] published in the [[Evening Standard]] on 9 january 1920 and reprinted in [[Light]] on 17 january 1920 as ''A Critic's "Logical Questions"''.		''Spirits and the Spirit World'' is an article written by [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] published in the [[Evening Standard]] on 9 january 1920 and reprinted in [[Light]] on 17 january 1920 as ''A Critic's "Logical Questions"''.


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	'''ASSERTIONS "USUALLY FALSE AND SOMETIMES OFFENSIVE."'''		'''ASSERTIONS "USUALLY FALSE AND SOMETIMES OFFENSIVE."'''

	The questions published in the "Evening Standard" a few days ago from Mr. Newman Harding (Society of Authors) on the subject of Spiritualism and the spirit world have excited much interest.		The questions published in the "[[Evening Standard]]" a few days ago from Mr. Newman Harding (Society of Authors) on the subject of Spiritualism and the spirit world have excited much interest.

	Mr. Newman Harding addressed his questions to [[Arthur Conan Doyle\|Sir A. Conan Doyle]], and to-day Sir Conan Doyle writes to the "Evening Standard" as follows:—		Mr. Newman Harding addressed his questions to [[Arthur Conan Doyle\|Sir A. Conan Doyle]], and to-day Sir Conan Doyle writes to the "[[Evening Standard]]" as follows:—

	'''Some Spiritual Questions.'''		'''Some Spiritual Questions.'''

	<~~span class="~~q">"Mr. Newman Harding shows the limitations of his knowledge by alluding to the Spiritualist position as if it rested upon the assertions of two sawn, Sir Oliver Lodge and myself.</~~span~~>		<q>"Mr. Newman Harding shows the limitations of his knowledge by alluding to the Spiritualist position as if it rested upon the assertions of two sawn, Sir Oliver Lodge and myself.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"Has he never consulted the writings of Sir William Crookes, Professor Hyslop, Professor Lombroso, Dr. Geley, Charles Richet, Dr. Crawford, of Belfast, W. T. Stead, Professor Hare, Judge Edmonds, and so many more?</~~span~~>		<q>"Has he never consulted the writings of Sir William Crookes, Professor Hyslop, Professor Lombroso, Dr. Geley, Charles Richet, Dr. Crawford, of Belfast, W. T. Stead, Professor Hare, Judge Edmonds, and so many more?</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"If he has done so he has no right to state the case as if it rested upon two witnesses; if he has not done so he should consult the recognised authorities before asking long lists of questions which would take a volume to answer.</~~span~~>		<q>"If he has done so he has no right to state the case as if it rested upon two witnesses; if he has not done so he should consult the recognised authorities before asking long lists of questions which would take a volume to answer.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"On examining this list I find that most of these questions are not really questions at all, but assertions, usually false and sometimes offensive. The mentality which can ask, 'How is it that spirits never have any communications to make that will benefit and advance mankind?' on the assumption that the fate of the human race and the present condition of our loved ones who have gone before is of no consequence to mankind, is to me unthinkable.</~~span~~>		<q>"On examining this list I find that most of these questions are not really questions at all, but assertions, usually false and sometimes offensive. The mentality which can ask, 'How is it that spirits never have any communications to make that will benefit and advance mankind?' on the assumption that the fate of the human race and the present condition of our loved ones who have gone before is of no consequence to mankind, is to me unthinkable.</q>

	'''The Function of Higher Beings.'''		'''The Function of Higher Beings.'''

	<~~span class="~~q">"Is it not evident that the function of higher beings is to minister to our spiritual needs and knowledge, not to invent motor engines or to instruct us in chemistry? We should become automata if we were to allow our world to be run from the outside.</~~span~~>		<q>"Is it not evident that the function of higher beings is to minister to our spiritual needs and knowledge, not to invent motor engines or to instruct us in chemistry? We should become automata if we were to allow our world to be run from the outside.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"There are only two vital propositions in Spiritualism. These are that personality survives death without a change; the other that under proper physical conditions communication is still possible.</~~span~~>		<q>"There are only two vital propositions in Spiritualism. These are that personality survives death without a change; the other that under proper physical conditions communication is still possible.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"Professor Hyslop, the highest authority in America, says in his recent work, 'Life After Death' (p. 306): 'Any man who does not accept the existence of discarnate spirits and the proof of is is either ignorant or a moral coward.' I believe that to be a perfectly just dilemma.</~~span~~>		<q>"Professor Hyslop, the highest authority in America, says in his recent work, 'Life After Death' (p. 306): 'Any man who does not accept the existence of discarnate spirits and the proof of is is either ignorant or a moral coward.' I believe that to be a perfectly just dilemma.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"As to those questions of minute detail which snake up the long catechism of Mr. Newman Harding, their answer is insignificant compared with the importance of the main thesis. A great quantity of information has been gathered and certain conclusions have been formed, but there is latitude for dissent, and no Spiritualist would make such points a touchstone of the faith."</~~span~~>		<q>"As to those questions of minute detail which snake up the long catechism of Mr. Newman Harding, their answer is insignificant compared with the importance of the main thesis. A great quantity of information has been gathered and certain conclusions have been formed, but there is latitude for dissent, and no Spiritualist would make such points a touchstone of the faith."</q>


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	'''Sir A. Conan Doyle on the "Main Thesis."'''		'''Sir A. Conan Doyle on the "Main Thesis."'''

	Sir Arthur Conan Doyle replied as follows in the "Evening Standard" of January 9th:—		[[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]] replied as follows in the "[[Evening Standard]]" of January 9th:—

	<~~span class="~~q">"Mr. Newman Harding shows the limitations of his knowledge by alluding to the Spiritualist Position as if it rested upon the assertions of two men, Sir Oliver Lodge and myself.</~~span~~>		<q>"Mr. Newman Harding shows the limitations of his knowledge by alluding to the Spiritualist Position as if it rested upon the assertions of two men, Sir Oliver Lodge and myself.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"Has he never consulted the writings of Sir William Crookes, Professor Hyslop, Professor Lombroso, Dr. Geley, Charles Richet, Dr. Crawford of Belfast, W. T. Stead, Professor Hare, Judge Edmonds, and so many more?</~~span~~>		<q>"Has he never consulted the writings of Sir William Crookes, Professor Hyslop, Professor Lombroso, Dr. Geley, Charles Richet, Dr. Crawford of Belfast, W. T. Stead, Professor Hare, Judge Edmonds, and so many more?</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"If he has done so he has no right to state the case as if it rested upon two witnesses; if he has not done so he should consult the recognised authorities before asking long lists of questions which would take a volume to answer.</~~span~~>		<q>"If he has done so he has no right to state the case as if it rested upon two witnesses; if he has not done so he should consult the recognised authorities before asking long lists of questions which would take a volume to answer.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"On examining this list I find that most of these questions are not really questions at all, but assertions, usually false and sometimes offensive. The mentality which can ask, 'How is it that spirits never have any Communications to make that will benefit and advance mankind?' on the assumption that the fate of the human race and the present condition of our loved ones who have gone before is of no consequence to mankind, is to me unthinkable.</~~span~~>		<q>"On examining this list I find that most of these questions are not really questions at all, but assertions, usually false and sometimes offensive. The mentality which can ask, 'How is it that spirits never have any Communications to make that will benefit and advance mankind?' on the assumption that the fate of the human race and the present condition of our loved ones who have gone before is of no consequence to mankind, is to me unthinkable.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"Is it not evident that the function of higher beings is to minister to our spiritual needs and knowledge, not to invent motor engines or to instruct us in chemistry? We should become automata if we were to allow our world to be run from the outside.</~~span~~>		<q>"Is it not evident that the function of higher beings is to minister to our spiritual needs and knowledge, not to invent motor engines or to instruct us in chemistry? We should become automata if we were to allow our world to be run from the outside.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"There are only two vital propositions in Spiritualism. These are that personality survives death without a change; the other that under proper physical conditions communication is still possible.</~~span~~>		<q>"There are only two vital propositions in Spiritualism. These are that personality survives death without a change; the other that under proper physical conditions communication is still possible.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"Professor Hyslop, the highest authority in America, says in his recent work. 'Life After Death' (p. 306): 'Any man who does not accept the existence of discarnate spirits and the proof of it is either ignorant or a moral coward.' I believe that to be a perfectly just dilemma.</~~span~~>		<q>"Professor Hyslop, the highest authority in America, says in his recent work. 'Life After Death' (p. 306): 'Any man who does not accept the existence of discarnate spirits and the proof of it is either ignorant or a moral coward.' I believe that to be a perfectly just dilemma.</q>

	<~~span class="~~q">"As to those questions of minute detail which make up the long catechism of Mr. Newman Harding, their answer is insignificant compared with the importance of the main thesis. A great quantity of Information has been gathered and certain conclusions have been formed, but there is latitude for dissent, and no Spiritualist would make such points a touchstone of the truth."</~~span~~>		<q>"As to those questions of minute detail which make up the long catechism of Mr. Newman Harding, their answer is insignificant compared with the importance of the main thesis. A great quantity of Information has been gathered and certain conclusions have been formed, but there is latitude for dissent, and no Spiritualist would make such points a touchstone of the truth."</q>