The Philip Experiment: A Paranormal Study That Shook the Scientific World

Can Humans Create Ghosts?

In the 1970s, a team of Canadian researchers embarked on a daring journey to test the boundaries between science and the supernatural. This journey gave birth to the Philip Experiment—a now-famous parapsychological study that sought to manifest a ghost through sheer imagination and belief.

Organized by the Toronto Society for Psychical Research (TSPR) and led by Dr. A.R.G. Owen, the experiment did not aim to contact a real ghost. Instead, its goal was to create one. The researchers invented a fictional character named "Philip Aylesford," complete with a detailed backstory, personality, and even emotional traits.

The TSPR team during one of their experimental sessions in the 1970s.

Background: Who Was Philip Aylesford?

To create a ghost, the team first needed a believable entity. They invented "Philip Aylesford," a 17th-century English nobleman with a rich and tragic life story. He was designed to be emotionally engaging, historically plausible, and relatable.

Philip’s Fictional Backstory Included:

• Birth Year: 1624 in England

• Occupation: Soldier and diplomat

• Residence: Lived at Diddington Manor

• Marriage: To a cold and loveless wife

• Affair: Fell in love with a gypsy woman named Margo

• Tragic End: Margo was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake; Philip, devastated, committed suicide

The team members studied this backstory intensely, memorizing every detail until Philip became almost real in their minds.

Objectives of the Philip Experiment

The Philip Experiment wasn't just a ghost hunt—it was a carefully designed psychological and psychokinetic study. The researchers wanted to see if:

• A collective belief could manifest real paranormal phenomena

• Thoughtforms (or "tulpas")—entities created by the mind—could exist in the physical world

• Group dynamics and expectation could influence perceived supernatural events

Core Hypothesis:

"If you imagine something long and hard enough, especially in a group setting, it might just come to life."

The Experiment Begins: Methods and Setup

Conducted in Toronto in 1972, the experiment featured a regular group of eight participants (four men and four women), none of whom claimed psychic abilities.

Experimental Methods Included:

• Séances: The group gathered around a table, focusing on Philip and calling out to him.

• Atmosphere: Lights were dimmed; a candlelit, “classic ghost story” environment was created.

• Visualizations: Members meditated on Philip’s life, imagining his home, appearance, emotions, and surroundings.

• Group Cohesion: Participants built strong emotional connections and consistency in belief.

A sketch of Philip Aylesford, the fictional ghost who responded as if he were real.

Initially, nothing happened—no ghostly responses or strange occurrences. But over time, something changed.

The Results: Did Philip Actually Appear?

After weeks of effort, the group began to witness classic paranormal phenomena—but it was all supposedly from a person who never existed.

Documented Phenomena:

• Rapping sounds on the table in response to questions

• Table movements including tilting and sliding

• Air temperature drops during sessions

• Lights flickering inexplicably

• Distinct tapping patterns that answered yes/no questions

The most extraordinary part? Philip only responded within the group’s belief system. When they asked questions that didn't fit Philip’s fictional backstory, there was no response.

Analysis: What Does the Philip Experiment Prove?

The Philip Experiment remains a controversial topic in both scientific and paranormal communities. Critics argue that the results were simply group delusion or subconscious ideomotor activity (like the Ouija board effect), while others suggest it reveals deeper truths about human consciousness.

Possible Interpretations:

• Psychological Projection: The group unconsciously manipulated the environment to match their expectations.

• Collective Consciousness: A group’s unified belief can create real-world effects.

• Evidence of Tulpas: This experiment is often cited by believers in “tulpas” or sentient thoughtforms.

• Paranormal Proof: Some parapsychologists argue this is evidence of latent psychokinetic ability.

“Thoughtforms” and the Philip Experiment

If you're writing or reading about thoughtforms, the Philip Experiment is essential context. A thoughtform (or tulpa) is a concept borrowed from Tibetan mysticism, referring to an entity created by focused mental energy.

Philip Experiment as a Case Study:

• It’s often cited in discussions of consciousness studies and parapsychology

• Used in debates on collective belief systems and mass hysteria

• Referenced in media like Ghost Hunters and Mindscape documentaries

The Legacy: Modern Influence and Pop Culture

The Philip Experiment has inspired books, films, and other paranormal research projects. In 2014, it loosely inspired the horror movie The Quiet Ones, though the film took creative liberties.

Key Contributions to Pop Culture and Science:

• Further Studies: Similar experiments like “The Skippy Experiment” and “The Sidney Group” tried to replicate the effect.

• Academic Debate: It’s discussed in psychology, sociology, and consciousness theory classes.

• Mainstream Curiosity: Paranormal YouTubers, podcasts, and ghost hunters often cite Philip as proof of the mind’s power.

Still from “The Quiet Ones” movie

Key Takeaways

• The Philip Experiment was a 1972 study to create a ghost via collective imagination

• The team invented a character named Philip and conducted séances to contact him

• They reported ghost-like phenomena despite Philip being entirely fictional

• The results are cited in studies of tulpas, thoughtforms, and parapsychology

• The experiment remains a foundational case in paranormal and consciousness research