Mare tenebrarum, cryptomnesia, and experimental metaphysics : the normal subconscious according to Edward Abramowski (1868-1918)

2026
journal article
article
dc.abstract.enThe aim of this article is to reconstruct and contextualize the original conception of the subconscious by Polish psychologist, philosopher, and social theorist Edward Abramowski (1868–1918), presenting him as a significant yet understudied figure in the early history of European psychology. In the first part, Abramowski’s project is situated within the broader intellectual landscape of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century debates on hidden mental life, including philosophical theories of the unconscious (Herbart, Carus, Hartmann) and clinical research on automatisms, dissociation, and cryptomnesia (Janet, Prince, Flournoy). We also highlight the unique political and cultural conditions of partitioned Poland, in which Abramowski lived and worked. The second and central part of the paper examines Abramowski’s theory of the normal subconscious, emphasizing his departure from pathological models prevalent in contemporary psychology, as well as his argument that such phenomena can be studied through systematic experimentation. Special attention is devoted to Abramowski’s analyses of cryptomnesia, memory, perception, emotional processes, and the “resistance of the forgotten,” as well as methodological developments, which position his work at the intersection of laboratory psychology, clinical observation, and philosophical reflection. The final section of the article explores the broader implications of Abramowski’s “experimental metaphysics,” highlighting its affinities with the ideas of Bergson, James, and Bazaillas. By integrating such diverse traditions, Abramowski’s model of the subconscious enriches the polycentric history of psychology and illustrates the diversity of early European approaches to the hidden mind.
dc.affiliationWydział Filozoficzny : Instytut Psychologii
dc.affiliationSzkoła Doktorska Nauk Społecznych
dc.contributor.authorDobroczyński, Bartłomiej - 127735
dc.contributor.authorGruszka-Gosiewska, Aleksandra - 128191
dc.contributor.authorMysona, Agata - 383991
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-29T11:47:50Z
dc.date.available2026-06-29T11:47:50Z
dc.date.createdat2026-06-05T06:57:08Zen
dc.date.issued2026
dc.description.number2
dc.description.physical128-151
dc.description.volume29
dc.identifier.doi10.1037/hop0000296
dc.identifier.issn1093-4510
dc.identifier.urihttps://ruj.uj.edu.pl/handle/item/575937
dc.languageeng
dc.language.containereng
dc.rightsDodaję tylko opis bibliograficzny
dc.rights.licenceBez licencji otwartego dostępu
dc.source.integratorfalse
dc.subject.ensubconscious
dc.subject.enEdward Abramowski
dc.subject.encryptomnesia
dc.subject.enexperimental psychology of the unconscious
dc.subject.enhistory of Polish psychology
dc.subtypeArticle
dc.titleMare tenebrarum, cryptomnesia, and experimental metaphysics : the normal subconscious according to Edward Abramowski (1868-1918)
dc.title.journalHistory of Psychology
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typePublicationen
dc.abstract.en
The aim of this article is to reconstruct and contextualize the original conception of the subconscious by Polish psychologist, philosopher, and social theorist Edward Abramowski (1868–1918), presenting him as a significant yet understudied figure in the early history of European psychology. In the first part, Abramowski’s project is situated within the broader intellectual landscape of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century debates on hidden mental life, including philosophical theories of the unconscious (Herbart, Carus, Hartmann) and clinical research on automatisms, dissociation, and cryptomnesia (Janet, Prince, Flournoy). We also highlight the unique political and cultural conditions of partitioned Poland, in which Abramowski lived and worked. The second and central part of the paper examines Abramowski’s theory of the normal subconscious, emphasizing his departure from pathological models prevalent in contemporary psychology, as well as his argument that such phenomena can be studied through systematic experimentation. Special attention is devoted to Abramowski’s analyses of cryptomnesia, memory, perception, emotional processes, and the “resistance of the forgotten,” as well as methodological developments, which position his work at the intersection of laboratory psychology, clinical observation, and philosophical reflection. The final section of the article explores the broader implications of Abramowski’s “experimental metaphysics,” highlighting its affinities with the ideas of Bergson, James, and Bazaillas. By integrating such diverse traditions, Abramowski’s model of the subconscious enriches the polycentric history of psychology and illustrates the diversity of early European approaches to the hidden mind.
dc.affiliation
Wydział Filozoficzny : Instytut Psychologii
dc.affiliation
Szkoła Doktorska Nauk Społecznych
dc.contributor.author
Dobroczyński, Bartłomiej - 127735
dc.contributor.author
Gruszka-Gosiewska, Aleksandra - 128191
dc.contributor.author
Mysona, Agata - 383991
dc.date.accessioned
2026-06-29T11:47:50Z
dc.date.available
2026-06-29T11:47:50Z
dc.date.createdaten
2026-06-05T06:57:08Z
dc.date.issued
2026
dc.description.number
2
dc.description.physical
128-151
dc.description.volume
29
dc.identifier.doi
10.1037/hop0000296
dc.identifier.issn
1093-4510
dc.identifier.uri
https://ruj.uj.edu.pl/handle/item/575937
dc.language
eng
dc.language.container
eng
dc.rights
Dodaję tylko opis bibliograficzny
dc.rights.licence
Bez licencji otwartego dostępu
dc.source.integrator
false
dc.subject.en
subconscious
dc.subject.en
Edward Abramowski
dc.subject.en
cryptomnesia
dc.subject.en
experimental psychology of the unconscious
dc.subject.en
history of Polish psychology
dc.subtype
Article
dc.title
Mare tenebrarum, cryptomnesia, and experimental metaphysics : the normal subconscious according to Edward Abramowski (1868-1918)
dc.title.journal
History of Psychology
dc.type
JournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeen
Publication
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