Synthesized answer
The provided passages do not offer information about Greene's book or its aims for "success, self-improvement, and self-defense" in the present world. Therefore, it is not possible to determine how an understanding of "phantoms" or "posthumous humanity" might extend or diverge from these specific goals based solely on the given text.
However, the passages do discuss "posthumous humanity" and "phantoms" as described by Adolphe d'Assier. According to d'Assier, a "posthumous being" is the continuation beyond the tomb of the inner personality, with a "fluidic form" that preserves customs, tendencies, and prejudices from life [2, 3]. This concept is presented as a continuation of the "living phantom" or "phantasmal double" [2, 5]. The study of this principle relates to the magnetic fluid and offers explanations for various psychological phenomena, potentially moving beyond supernatural interpretations [4]. The passages suggest that d'Assier's theories extend beyond physical science when he considers the "last-lingering phantom of the brain" [1].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
d condition bruise himself, or wound himself by running upon any sharp point that would be capable of wounding his body. The braise or wound will then repercuss upon the physical body, as explained above by the author in speaking of witchcraft phenomena in their psycho-physiological aspect. ↑ And the dominant one of the concentrated will. ↑ Exit Homo auctoris nostri : beyond this vanishing point of the posthumous phantom M. d'Assier goes not in his theories. Our roads diverge. While he has chased his spectre beyond the field of physical science and thinks, with Sir Walter, that " Even the…
← Chapter III Posthumous Humanity: A Study of Phantoms ( 1887 ) by Adolphe d'Assier , translated by Henry Steel Olcott Chapter IV Chapter V → Adolphe d'Assier 4731767 Posthumous Humanity: A Study of Phantoms — Chapter IV 1887 Henry Steel Olcott Layout 2 CHAPTER IV. Character of the posthumous being.—Its physical constitution.—Its mode of locomotion.—Its aversion to light.—Its clothing.—Its manifestations.—Its reservoir of living force.—Its ballistic.—Every man has a phantasmal double.—The seeress of Prevorst. Let us return to the posthumous man. Being the continuation beyond the tomb of the…
← Chapter XI Posthumous Humanity: A Study of Phantoms ( 1887 ) by Adolphe d'Assier , translated by Henry Steel Olcott Chapter XII Appendix → Adolphe d'Assier 4731353 Posthumous Humanity: A Study of Phantoms — Chapter XII 1887 Henry Steel Olcott Layout 2 CHAPTER XII. A glance at the fauna of the shades.—Their preoccupations.—Their reminiscences.—How they prolong their existance.—The posthumous vampire. From all that I have said in the preceding chapters, as well about the living phantom as about the posthumous phantom, the conclusion is warranted that these two personages have a common…
some unfamiliar principle which, in certain cases and within certain limits, may act as an active and independent force. I find this principle not only in man, but as well in the higher species of the zoological scale; so that posthumous humanity is, in fact, but a special example of posthumous animality, and that this latter presents itself as the immediate consequence of the living world. The study of this principle leads me to that of the magnetic fluid, which seems to be its generative cause. I then analyze the various manifestations of this factor of psychology, notably in mesmerism, and…
← Chapter II Posthumous Humanity: A Study of Phantoms ( 1887 ) by Adolphe d'Assier , translated by Henry Steel Olcott Chapter III Chapter IV → Adolphe d'Assier 4731632 Posthumous Humanity: A Study of Phantoms — Chapter III 1887 Henry Steel Olcott Layout 2 CHAPTER III. Facts establishing the existence of the personality in animals, and concerning a posthumous animality.—Fluidic form of vegetables.—Fluidic form of gross bodies. Is the existence in us of a living and phantasmal image, copying our external form as well as our interior organization, the privilege of the human species, or must it…
More questions about this book
- Explain Robert Greene's central argument for why understanding human nature is "the most important tool we can possess," detailing the specific methods he proposes for achieving this mastery.
- Based solely on the provided information, how would you describe the apparent subject matter and philosophical leanings of Adolphe d'Assier's "Posthumous Humanity: A Study of Phantoms"?
- The excerpt presents two distinct approaches to "humanity." How might a student reconcile or explain the relationship between Greene's pragmatic focus on living social dynamics and d'Assier's exploration of "posthumous humanity" and "phantoms"?
- Greene suggests tactics like detaching from emotions, mastering self-control, and developing empathy. Choose one of these and explain, as if to a complete novice, how it practically contributes to "looking behind people's masks" or "understanding people's drives and motivations."