Spiritist Doctrine: what it is, principles and books of Allan Kardec
The Spiritist doctrine It is the philosophical, moral, and spiritual system codified by Allan Kardec in the 19th century. It studies the existence of spirits, communication between the living and the disembodied, reincarnation, the law of cause and effect, the evolution of the soul, and the moral responsibility of human beings.
Although many people use the word spiritism to refer to any practice of communicating with the dead, Kardec's spiritist doctrine has its own distinct structure. It is not presented as a religion with priests, temples, or sacraments, but rather as a doctrine of study, observation, Christian morality, and spiritual development. Its main foundations are found in works such as The Spirits' Book, The Book of Mediums y The Gospel according to Spiritism.
Fact sheet on the Spiritist doctrine
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Spiritist doctrine or Kardecist spiritualism. |
| Encoder | Allan Kardec, pseudonym of Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail. |
| Modern origin | France, 19th century, based on the systematic study of mediumistic communications. |
| Main work | The Spirits' Book, published in 1857. |
| Central base | Existence of God, immortality of the soul, reincarnation, communication with spirits, and moral progress. |
| Main practice | Doctrinal study, spiritist meetings, responsible mediumship, prayer, charity, and inner reform. |
| key difference | It should not be confused with all popular spiritualism, crossed spiritualism, or Afro-Caribbean practices. |
| Spiritual purpose | Understanding spiritual life, improving morally, and practicing charity as a path of evolution. |
What is the Spiritist doctrine?
Spiritism is a philosophical and moral doctrine that affirms the existence of spirits and the possibility of communication between the spiritual and physical worlds. According to this view, human beings are not merely material bodies, but immortal spirits in a process of learning, refinement, and evolution.
Its aim is not to predict the future or turn spiritual communication into a spectacle. Spiritist doctrine seeks to understand where the spirit comes from, where it goes after death, why it incarnates, how it progresses, and what moral laws govern its path.
Allan Kardec defined Spiritism as a science that studies the nature, origin, and destiny of spirits, as well as their relationship with the physical world. He also presented it as a philosophy because it analyzes the moral consequences of these relationships and how human beings should conduct themselves in the face of life, suffering, death, and individual responsibility.
Therefore, when speaking of Spiritist doctrine in the Kardecist sense, one speaks of an ordered body of ideas: God, soul, reincarnation, mediumship, progress, law of cause and effect, plurality of worlds, charity, divine justice, and moral reform.
Who was Allan Kardec?
Allan Kardec was the pseudonym used by Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, French pedagogue, writer, translator and scholar born on October 3, 1804. He was a man formed in the European intellectual environment of the 19th century and dedicated himself for years to education before becoming the main codifier of the spiritist doctrine.
According to Spiritist tradition, the name Allan Kardec was adopted after a spirit guide told him that in a previous life, during the time of the Druids, he had borne that name in ancient Gaul. From then on, Rivail began signing his Spiritist works with that pseudonym.
Kardec did not present himself as a prophet or as the creator of a new religion. His role was to organize, compare, question, study, and systematize spiritual communications received by various mediums. For this reason, within Spiritism he is recognized as... encoder of the Spiritist doctrine, not as the absolute inventor of its teachings.
In 1858 he founded the Société Parisienne des Études SpiritesA society dedicated to the study of spiritualist phenomena and mediumistic communications. His work transformed the spiritual phenomenon, which was often treated as entertainment or a social curiosity, into a philosophical and moral system with a method, questions, answers, and ordered principles.
Why Allan Kardec is considered the codifier of Spiritism
Allan Kardec is considered the codifier of Spiritism because he took spiritual communications obtained by various mediums, compared them, organized them, and presented them as a doctrine. His work consisted of formulating questions, analyzing answers, discarding contradictions, and compiling teachings that, according to him, came from superior spirits.
This idea is important because, within the Spiritist view, Kardec did not "invent" the doctrine. He codified it. That is, he gave form, order, and structure to a set of spiritual teachings that would have been transmitted through mediumship.
According to tradition, around 1855 he received materials, notebooks, and mediumistic communications from various locations. From this content, and through further questions posed via mediums, he laid the foundations for his major books.
His method sought to prevent a single isolated communication from being taken as absolute truth. Kardec insisted on comparing, reasoning, and observing. This approach allowed him to present Spiritism not as a mere emotional belief, but as a doctrine that aimed to be studied, analyzed, and morally grounded.
Historical origin of modern spiritualism
Beliefs about spirits, the dead, apparitions, and communication with the afterlife existed before Allan Kardec. However, modern spiritualism is usually associated with the movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, especially after the phenomena in Hydesville, New York, in 1848, linked to the Fox sisters.
In this context, practices began to spread in which spirits supposedly responded through knocks, noises, moving tables, or other physical phenomena. These experiences became popular in the United States and then in Europe, especially in circles interested in the paranormal, the spiritual, and the occult.
In France, table-turning and other phenomena became a form of social entertainment for a time. But for some observers, including Kardec, they warranted more serious study. The question was not only whether the phenomena occurred, but what lessons could be learned from them and what their moral implications were.
This is where Allan Kardec's contribution stands out: he took a dispersed phenomenon, often seen as mere spectacle, and transformed it into an object of doctrinal investigation. His work gave rise to Kardecist Spiritism, with a more defined philosophical, moral, and mediumistic foundation.
Difference between spiritism, spiritualism and spiritist doctrine
One of the most common misconceptions is using the words spiritism, spiritualism, and spiritist doctrine interchangeably. Although they are related, they do not mean exactly the same thing.
El spiritualism It's a broad idea: it affirms that a spiritual reality exists beyond matter. Many religions and philosophical schools of thought can be considered spiritualist because they believe in the soul, in God, in spirits, or in an invisible world.
El spiritualismIn a general sense, it refers to practices and beliefs related to communication with spirits. It can include very different currents: modern spiritualism, folk spiritualism, cross-spiritism, mediumistic practices, and syncretic forms present in the Caribbean and Latin America.
La Spiritist doctrine It is more specific. It refers to the system codified by Allan Kardec, with defined principles, fundamental works, the study of mediumship, Christian morality, reincarnation, spiritual progress, and the law of cause and effect.
For a broader view of these practices and trends, you can read the guide on What is spiritualism?, where spiritualism is addressed in a general sense and its various expressions.
Principles of Spiritist Doctrine
Spiritist doctrine is based on several fundamental principles. These principles seek to explain human existence, the origin of the soul, the meaning of suffering, spiritual communication, and the moral responsibility of each individual.
| Principle | Explanation within the Spiritist doctrine |
|---|---|
| God | The existence of God is recognized as supreme intelligence, first cause of all things, just, eternal, immutable and benevolent. |
| Immortality of the soul | Human beings are immortal spirits that survive the death of the physical body. |
| Existence of spirits | Spirits are intelligent beings created by God, destined to evolve through successive experiences. |
| Reincarnation | The spirit can reincarnate to learn, correct mistakes, develop virtues, and advance in its moral perfection. |
| Mediumship | Spirits can communicate with incarnate beings through mediums, provided there is an adequate faculty and favorable conditions. |
| Law of cause and effect | Every action has spiritual consequences. Repentance, reparation, and atonement are part of the evolutionary process. |
| Free will | The spirit is responsible for its decisions and the way it uses its freedom for good or for evil. |
| Spiritual progress | All spirits are called to evolve from ignorance towards moral perfection. |
| Plurality of inhabited worlds | Earth would not be the only world with spiritual life; there are different levels and abodes for the progress of spirits. |
| Charity | Charity, love, justice, faith, and hope are essential virtues for the evolution of the spirit. |
These principles show that Spiritist doctrine is not limited to communicating with the dead. Its focus is on the moral transformation of the human being. Mediumship, without charity and responsibility, loses its highest meaning.
Mediumship in Spiritist doctrine
Mediumship occupies a central place within Spiritist doctrine because it allows for the study of communication between spirits and the physical world. For Kardec, the medium should not act as a fortune teller, a spectacle, or an unquestionable authority, but rather as an instrument of communication who should be morally and spiritually educated.
In this view, mediumship is not a privilege to dominate others nor an automatic proof of spiritual superiority. It can be a delicate faculty that demands humility, discipline, prayer, study, discernment, and service to good.
Spiritist doctrine distinguishes different types of mediums: intuitive, speaking, clairvoyant, writing, sensitive, healing, and those who produce physical effects, among others. But more important than the faculty itself is the moral use made of it.
To learn more about its types, signs, and responsible development, you can read the guide on mediumship, where it explains what it means to be a medium and how to work with this sensitivity prudently.
Spiritist meetings according to Kardecism
Spiritist meetings have an important function within Kardecism. They are held to study, pray, elevate thought, receive spiritual communications, and work for the moral progress of the participants.
Unlike more ritualized practices, Kardecist Spiritism does not require altars, images, sacrifices, consecrations, sacraments, or a priestly hierarchy. Its meetings typically focus on doctrinal study, prayer, moral reading, controlled mediumistic practice, and charity.
Some common foundations of Kardecist meetings are:
- Spiritual equality: There is no priestly caste with religious privileges.
- Study: Reading and understanding spiritist works occupies a fundamental place.
- Sentence: The aim is to elevate thought and ask for assistance from good spirits.
- Responsible mediumship: Spiritual communication must be carried out with discipline and discernment.
- Gratuity: Spiritist practice should not become a business or an exploitation of faith.
- Charity: Helping others is an essential part of the Spiritist experience.
- Religious tolerance: Kardecist Spiritism proposes respect for other beliefs.
These gatherings should not be automatically confused with an Afro-Caribbean spiritual mass, a séance, or a ritual before a sacred altar. Although they share the idea of spiritual communication, their forms and contexts are distinct.
Spiritist doctrine and Christianity
Allan Kardec's Spiritist doctrine has a strong Christian moral orientation. Jesus of Nazareth is presented as the supreme model of conduct, love, charity, forgiveness, and moral perfection. However, Kardecist Spiritism interprets his teachings from its own perspective, centered on the evolution of the spirit and the law of cause and effect.
En The Gospel according to SpiritismKardec compiles the moral teachings of Jesus and interprets them in light of Spiritist doctrine. Virtues such as humility, patience, mercy, charity, and love of neighbor are highlighted.
Spiritist doctrine does not focus on sacramental dogmas, but on inner transformation. This means that true spiritual progress depends not only on believing, praying, or attending meetings, but on transforming one's character, correcting flaws, practicing good, and living with greater moral responsibility.
From this perspective, faith should not be blind or fanatical. It should be accompanied by reason, study, experience, charity, and conscience.
Difference between Spiritist doctrine, spiritual mass, and spiritual vault
To avoid confusion, it is important to distinguish between Allan Kardec's Spiritist doctrine, the spiritual mass, and the spiritual vault. All may relate to the spiritual world, but they do not belong to exactly the same context nor do they function in the same way.
Spiritism is a philosophical and moral system codified by Allan Kardec. It is based on study, responsible mediumship, reincarnation, charity, and the evolution of the spirit.
La spiritual mass It belongs more to the field of spiritism practiced in Afro-Caribbean houses and cross-spiritism. Although it shares the idea of communication with spirits, its ceremonial and communal form is not identical to Kardecist spiritist meetings.
La spiritual vault It is an altar for honoring guides and ancestors, widely used in cross-spiritism and in circles related to Santería. It is not part of classical Kardecist Spiritism, but it is related to attending to, elevating, and communicating with spirits.
In folk practices, prayers play an important role in elevating thought and seeking spiritual assistance. For that practical approach, you can consult the prayers for the spiritual vault.
Misuses of spiritualism
Spiritist doctrine insists that spiritual communication should be oriented toward truth, charity, and moral progress. Therefore, it considers it wrong to use mediumship to deceive, dominate, feed pride, cause harm, exploit others financially, or satisfy unspiritual curiosities.
According to the Kardecist view, a medium should not use their faculty for entertainment or as an instrument of personal power. Mediumship demands humility and responsibility. When it is used to manipulate, provoke fear, or create dependency, it deviates from its spiritual purpose.
Attributing everything to spirits without reasoning should also be avoided. Kardecist Spiritism proposes observing, comparing, analyzing, and maintaining discernment. Absolute credulity can be as dangerous as a closed rejection of all spiritual experience.
Practices such as irresponsible communication games, morbid use of divination boards, or invocations made out of curiosity can generate confusion and fear. From a Spiritist perspective, all communication should aim for spiritual elevation, teaching, comfort, and moral good.
Books by Allan Kardec
The works of Allan Kardec form the basis of Spiritist doctrine. Each one addresses a fundamental aspect: general principles, mediumship, Christian morality, divine justice and the spiritual explanation of creation, miracles, and prophecies.
| Book | Main content |
|---|---|
| The Spirits' Book | It explains the foundations of the Spiritist doctrine: God, spirits, reincarnation, moral law, and the destiny of the soul. |
| The Book of Mediums | Study mediumship, the types of mediums, spiritual communications, and the necessary precautions in spiritist practice. |
| The Gospel according to Spiritism | It interprets the moral teachings of Jesus from a spiritist perspective, highlighting charity, forgiveness, love, and inner reform. |
| Heaven and Hell | It analyzes divine justice, the destiny of the soul after death, punishments, rewards, and spiritual states. |
| Genesis | It addresses creation, miracles, prophecies, spiritual nature, and the Spiritist explanation of religious and natural phenomena. |
The Spirits' Book
The Spirits' BookPublished in 1857, it is the foundational work of Spiritist doctrine. Organized in a question-and-answer format, it addresses topics such as God, spirits, incarnation, reincarnation, spiritual life, moral laws, hope, and the future of the soul.
This book marks the formal beginning of Kardecist Spiritism and establishes the philosophical foundations of the entire doctrine. For anyone wishing to understand the thought of Allan Kardec, it is the most important starting point.
The Book of Mediums
The Book of MediumsPublished in 1861, this work studies spiritual manifestations and the practice of mediumship. It explains different types of mediums, difficulties, dangers, communications, spiritual obsession, evocations, and the conditions necessary for responsible practice.
It is an essential work for those who wish to understand mediumship from a serious spiritualist perspective, moving away from improvisation, fanaticism, and disordered curiosity.
The Gospel according to Spiritism
The Gospel according to SpiritismPublished in 1864, it presents a Spiritist interpretation of the moral teachings of Jesus. Its emphasis is not on miracles or dogmas, but on inner reform, love of neighbor, charity, humility, and forgiveness.
This work shows the Christian dimension of Spiritist doctrine and explains how to apply the teachings of Jesus to the trials and conflicts of daily life.
Heaven and Hell
Heaven and HellPublished in 1865, it analyzes divine justice from a Spiritist perspective. It addresses topics such as death, the destiny of the soul, spiritual states, punishments, rewards, repentance, and the continuity of life after the body.
One of his central ideas is that heaven and hell should not be understood solely as eternal physical places, but as spiritual states related to consciousness, actions, and the progress of the spirit.
Genesis
GenesisPublished in 1868, it addresses creation, miracles, and prophecies according to Spiritism. In it, Kardec analyzes the relationship between science, religion, and spirituality, attempting to offer rational explanations for phenomena traditionally considered supernatural.
It is a more complex work, aimed at those who wish to delve deeper into the spiritist vision of the origin of the world, spiritual nature, miracles, the figure of Jesus and divine laws.
The Importance of Allan Kardec in Spiritism
Allan Kardec's importance lies in having given structure to modern Spiritism. Before him, phenomena, beliefs, and practices of spiritual communication existed, but his work offered an ordered system of questions, principles, explanations, and moral consequences.
Kardec helped to separate spiritualism from mere entertainment with paranormal phenomena. His approach sought to study, reason, and apply spiritual teachings to the betterment of humankind.
That is why his name remains central to those who study Kardecist Spiritism. Even when a person practices popular or crusading forms of Spiritism, many current ideas about mediumship, soul evolution, charity, and spiritual communication were profoundly influenced by his work.
Allan Kardec does not represent all existing spiritualism, but he does represent one of its most influential, organized, and studied formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Allan Kardec and Spiritist Doctrine
What is the Spiritist doctrine?
Spiritism is the philosophical, moral, and spiritual system codified by Allan Kardec. It studies the existence of spirits, reincarnation, spiritual communication, the law of cause and effect, and the evolution of the soul.
Who was Allan Kardec?
Allan Kardec was the pseudonym of Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, a French educator and writer who codified the Spiritist doctrine in the 19th century.
Did Allan Kardec create Spiritism?
Within the Spiritist tradition, it is said that Kardec did not create Spiritism, but rather codified it. He organized teachings received through various mediums and presented them as doctrine.
What is Allan Kardec's most important book?
The Spirits' Book It is the principal work of Allan Kardec and the basis of Spiritist doctrine. It was published in 1857.
What is the difference between spiritism and spiritist doctrine?
Spiritism can be used broadly to refer to practices of communicating with spirits. Spiritist doctrine specifically refers to the system codified by Allan Kardec.
Learn more about spiritualism, mediumship, and spirit vaults
In addition to Spiritist doctrine, there are related practices and concepts that help us understand how the spiritual world is addressed in different traditions. In these guides, you will find information on mediumship, the spiritual mass, the spiritual vault, prayers of attention, and Spiritism in a broader sense.
