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Concept
Spiritism
Summary
Spiritism (spiritisme; espiritismo), spiritist doctrine, Kardecism or Kardecist spiritism is a spiritualistic and reincarnationist doctrine established in France in the mid-19th century by the author and educator Allan Kardec (pseudonym of Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail). It explains, from a Christian perspective, the cycle by which a spirit supposedly returns to material existence after the death of the old body in which it dwelled, as well as the evolution it undergoes during this process. The concept also interacts with philosophical and scientific conceptions of the relationship between the physical and the moral. Kardecism emerged as a new religious movement branched from the spiritualistic field, the notions and practices associated with spiritual communication disseminated throughout North America and Europe since the 1850s.
Kardec coined the term "spiritism" in 1857 and defined it as "the doctrine founded on the existence, manifestations, and teachings of spirits". Although not recognized as a science, Kardec claimed that spiritism combines scientific, philosophical, and religious aspects, seeking a better understanding not only of the tangible universe but also of the universe beyond transcendence. After observing and analyzing the phenomena of table-turning, Professor Rivail was intrigued by the fact that the table could move despite lacking muscles or provide answers without having a brain. It was allegedly the very agent causing the phenomenon who responded, "It is not the table that thinks! It is us, the souls of the men who have lived on Earth." Rivail then proceeded to study this and other phenomena, such as "incorporation" and mediumship.
The doctrine is based on five "basic works", known as the Spiritist Codification, published by Kardec between 1857 and 1868. The codification consists of The Spirits' Book, The Mediums' Book, The Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell, and The Genesis. Additionally, there are the so-called "complementary works," such as What is Spiritism?, Spiritist Review, and Posthumous Works.
Official source
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