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Name:
Mesmerism
Founder:
Franz Anton Mesmer
Born: March 5, 1734 in Meersburg, Germany
Died: 1815
Profile:
Developed originally by Franz Anton Mesmer, mesmerism is primarily a form of faith healing.
According to Mesmer, physical and mental illnesses are caused by imbalances in a fluid he
called "animal magnetism." Thus, the way to cure diseases is to restore balance to this
fluid. He attempted to do this by putting someone in a trance and then manipulate their
"vital energies" by passing his hands over the area where the disease was located.
Originally Mesmer actually used magnets in his treatments, but he discovered that even non-magnetic objects like wood had the same effect. Finally, he started using just his hands, concluding that he himself was a strong source of "animal magnetism" and had curative powers.
Mesmer generally acted as though this was a scientific discovery, but it was much more spiritual and religious than scientific. Skeptical French physicians launced an investigation which evenentually found him to be a fraud. American diplomat Benjamin Franklin served on the commission which oversaw this investigation him. Although Mesmer had to flee and eventually died in disgrace, followers continued to use the same basic methods for many of the same purposed. They did, however, modify those methods so as to avoid legal problems and this became what we know today as hypnotism.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
Skepticism & Critical Thinking
This is the main index for issues dealing with skepticism, critical thinking, logic and arguments. The first section is Critical Thinking itself - how to think about claims and arguments you hear, how to critique arguments, and how to formulate your own arguments such that they are more likely to be sound and valid. The second section is about Skeptical Investigations - the practical application of the critical thinking skills covered in the first section. Here you will find critiques of things like astrology, alternative medicine, parapsychology, the New Age and more.
