Telepathy

The term "telepathy" is of quite recent origin. A few years ago it was not to be found in any of the standard dictionaries, and its use was confined to the small circle of investigators who were pursuing experiments in thought-transference, and who regarded the Society for Psychical Research of England as their centre of influence. At the present time, however, the word has passed into popular usage, is found in the current editions of the dictionaries and heard frequently on the streets. It was derived from the two Greek words, tele, meaning "afar," and pathos meaning "feeling." The term itself has been severely criticized as conveying a wrong impression, for thought-transference is not the same as "feeling"-transference. Some authorities have preferred the term " Telæsthesia," which, freely translated, means "perception by the sense at a distance." The present writer has sought to introduce the term "Telementation" which, freely translated, means "mental action at a distance," and the said term has met with considerable favor among scientific investigators of the subject. But, in spite of the objections, the public clings to the original term, and "Telepathy" is generally used to designate the phenomena of thought-transference, or as the dictionaries state it: "The action of one mind on another at a distance and without communication by means of the senses."