Cassoli, Piero (1918-)
Cassoli, Piero (1918-)
Physician and psychologist actively concerned with parapsychology. Cassoli was born July 25, 1918, in Bologna, Italy, and educated at the University of Bologna (M.D., 1943). In 1947 he became the secretary of a group of researchers investigating parapsychology. He was one of the founders (1954) and then president (1957-59) of the Centro Studi Parapsicologia. He also served as director of the center for many years.
A member of the Italian Society for Parapsychology, Cassoli's interests in parapsychology have been quite varied. He was among the first to promote experimental methods of psychical research in Italy and conducted experiments on precognition. He also investigated mediums, uncovering numerous tricks they were creating. As a physician, he also experimented in the use of hypnosis for anesthesia as an alternative to drugs.
Cassoli contributed articles on parapsychological subjects to Minerva Medica and Luce e Ombra. In 1971 he participated in the International Conference on Parapsychology held at St. Paul de Vence, France.
Sources:
Berger, Arthur S., and Joyce Berger. The Encyclopedia of Parapsychology and Psychical Research. New York: Paragon House, 1991.
Cassoli, Piero. "Parapsychology in Italy Today." In Parapsychology Today: A Geographical View. Edited by Allan Angoff and Betty Shapin. New York: Parapsychology Foundation, 1971.