From Swedenborg to Spiritism: Perspectives and convergences

Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between the ideas of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) and the Spiritist doctrine codified by Allan Kardec in the 19th century. Swedenborg was a mystic and theologian whose descriptions of the spiritual world, communication with spirits and the organization of the afterlife present similarities with Kardecist Spiritism. However, while his experiences were based on a reformulated and overly subjective Christian vision, the Spiritist doctrine sought a more empirical approach, at least in theory, so that it became systematic. Kardec recognized Swedenborg as a precursor, but highlighted methodological limitations in his subjective views. In turn, the analysis demonstrates that, despite the differences, both systems share the objective of understanding the immortality of the soul and its evolution. It is possible to infer that research into these connections contributes to the understanding of the evolution of spiritualist thought and its philosophical and religious implications.