________________
152
Jaina Perspective in Philosophy and Religion
cable whatever the evidence in its favour may be.”l However, Virchow offers another explanation for such opposition : "Facts are inconvenient and the facts are all the more inconvenient because the strike at the root of things.”2 Evidences are so correct that a person like William James was forced to confess : “In fact, were I asked to point to a Scientific Journal where hard-headedness and never-sleeping suspicion of sources of error might be seen in their full-bloom, I think I should have to fall back on the Proceedings of Society of Psychical Research."3 It is needless to repudiate the charges of those who believe that through the researches in para-psychology, the "public has been misled, funds expanded, energies of youngmen wasted."'4 Instead the assertions of eminent investigators among them scientists of world-wide renown are too numerous and too decided.”'5 So far its achievement is concerned, it is simply wonderful. Schopenhauer once said, “The phenomena under consideration are incomparably the most important among all the facts presented to us by the whole experience.” “No scientific movement ever set on foot has, in the same length of time, contributed so much towards the advancement of knowledge as psychical research."? Rt. Hon. W. E, Gladstone said: “It is the most important
1. Tyrrel, G. N. M. : The Personality of Man, Penguin,
London, 1947. 2. Tischner, R. : Ibid. 3. James, W.: “Will to Believe and other Essays", Long
mans, London, 1939. 4. Kellogg, C. : “New Evidencess for Extra-sensory-perce
ption", The Scientific Monthly, Vol. XIV, London,
October, 1937. 5. Oesterich, K. : Occultism and Modern Science. 6. Tischaer, R. : Ibid. 7. Bruce, H. A. : Unpopular Review, Oct.--Dec., 1914,
quoted by W. R. Priuce in 'Is Psychology worth while ?
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org