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Philip Experiment
In 1972, a Toronto parapsychology group attempted to create a ghost by inventing a fictional character named Philip. Through séances, they generated table movements, raps, and communications from 'Philip'—despite knowing he wasn't real. The experiment suggested the human mind can create paranormal phenomena.
1972
Toronto, Canada
8+ witnesses
Can you create a ghost from imagination?
The Experiment
1972-1973:
- Toronto Society for Psychical Research
- Dr. A.R.G. Owen led
- Eight participants
- Created fictional ghost
- To test psychic phenomena
Philip Whitford
The invented ghost:
- English aristocrat
- 17th century
- Love affair gone wrong
- Committed suicide
- Entirely fictional
The Sessions
What happened:
- Traditional séances
- Table tipping
- Raps and knocks
- Philip “communicated”
- Despite being fake
The Phenomena
What occurred:
- Table moved
- Audible responses
- Answered questions
- Matched invented backstory
- Witnessed by many
The Implications
What it suggested:
- Mind creates phenomena
- No external entity needed
- Collective psychokinesis?
- Expectation shapes results
- Revolutionary finding
The Criticism
Skeptical view:
- Unconscious movement
- Ideomotor effect
- Group suggestion
- Not truly paranormal
- Psychology not spirits