I am just starting this thread to discuss/document historical skeptics who lived before James Randi but did similar sort of work in investigating paranormal claims, psychics or other fringe topics.
We have already discussed Harry Houdini and Joseph Rinn on this forum. I would like to discuss some rarer examples.
I will start off by mentioning P. T. Barnum, the famous American showman. It is usually forgotten that he was also a skeptic.
Barnum was the author of the book The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages (1866). The book title speaks for itself, but I especially like this book because it has a skeptical chapter on spiritualist mediums such as the Davenport brothers.
It is online: http://ift.tt/1Z9dPZW
So yeah, just mention any of your favourite historical skeptics if possible and reasons why. I will update this thread now and again with new examples but would be nice to read about others suggestions. Thank you all.
We have already discussed Harry Houdini and Joseph Rinn on this forum. I would like to discuss some rarer examples.
I will start off by mentioning P. T. Barnum, the famous American showman. It is usually forgotten that he was also a skeptic.
Barnum was the author of the book The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages (1866). The book title speaks for itself, but I especially like this book because it has a skeptical chapter on spiritualist mediums such as the Davenport brothers.
It is online: http://ift.tt/1Z9dPZW
So yeah, just mention any of your favourite historical skeptics if possible and reasons why. I will update this thread now and again with new examples but would be nice to read about others suggestions. Thank you all.
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1RH5Qxs
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire