by Ian ·
by Ian · Published March 15, 2011 · Last modified December 7, 2018
by Ian · Published October 15, 2018 · Last modified December 29, 2018
by Ian · Published April 7, 2009 · Last modified November 7, 2018
More
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
To be brutally honest Ian I
To be brutally honest Ian I have always assumed that people named ghosts according to their resemblace to some historical figure (ie The Highwayman, Anne Boleyn etc) or because they "felt" the ghost to belong to somebody they knew (ie Uncle Rupert, Grandfather David etc).
Most hauntings don’t even
Most hauntings don’t even involve an apparition. It is only an assumption that haunting phenomena are caused by ghosts. One could equally well make a case for saying that apparitions are just a rare aspect of certain hauntings. So why would anyone name a ghost?
In one his books, Guy Lyon
In one his books, Guy Lyon Playfair says it is sensible to name a ghost as it gives them the status of one of the family and it takes the fear out of the situation. He says it is the first thing to be done when dealing with seriously upset people. He then goes on to say it is not scientific, just good psychotherapy?
Would you agree?
I imagine that Guy Lyon
I imagine that Guy Lyon Playfair’s comments are in relation to poltergeists. While all ghosts could potentially be scary, I imagine objects moving on their own could be potentially, more fear provoking than an aparition walking through a wall.
I think that if more ‘fragile’ witnesses are involved then naming could be a good way to help preserve their sanity. However naming something implies some sort of personal relationship with the entity or it having a personality.
It’s comforting to put a
It’s comforting to put a simple explanation to hauntings, whether that be taking the "ghosts as dead people" approach and giving them names or the equally complacent attitude of putting it all down to fraud and misperception.
I really see nothing wrong
I really see nothing wrong with it if it helps put the people experiencing unknown phenomena more at ease. A large body of the population find seeing and hearing things they cannot explain to be a frightening experience, and any reputable investigator should try and put people at ease.