Pensee Issue Contents

Issue

Page

Title

Author(s)

Description

Category

1

4

A Look at the Evidence

The Editors

introduction to the issue

general history

1

5

A Short Biography

The Editors

short biography for Immanuel Velikovsky (to 1972)

Velikovsky

1

6

The Scientific Mafia

David Stove

reactions of scientific community to published works of Velikovsky

cult of scientists

1

8

Collisions and Upheavals

The Editors

scenario based on Worlds in Collision and Earth in Upheaval

general history

1

11

A Record of Success

Thomas Ferte

partial list of Velikovsky's advance claims and their subsequent confirmations

solar system

1

14

Are the Moon's Scars only 3000 Years Old?

Immanuel Velikovsky

suggests moon's surface was repeatedly molten and bubbled; many unburst bubbles (domes) have been found

solar system

1

16

How Stable is the Solar System?

C. J. Ransom

comet encounter theories are becoming common

solar system

1

18

Lunar Rocks and Velikovsky's Claims

Derek York

most Apollo rocks were very old

solar system

1

19

When Was the Lunar Surface Last Molten?

Immanuel Velikovsky

response to York, question is not age but rather when were they molten the last time?

solar system

1

20

Effects of Volatility on Rubidium-Strontium Dating

Robert C. Wright

vapor migration may invalidate some metal datings

general science

1

21

Magnetic Remanence of Lunar Rocks: A Candid Look at Scientific Misbehavior

Robert Treash

successful prediction by Velikovsky caused poor behavior by Urey

solar system

1

24

On Decoding Hawkins' Stonehenge Decoded

Immanuel Velikovsky

there are several periods of construction and change

general history

1

29

The Censorship of Velikovsky's Interdisciplinary Synthesis

Lynn Rose

Velikovsky's theories were rejected because they spanned disciplines, questioning rather than proving common theories

cult of scientists

1

32

The Center Holds

William Mullen

if historical evidence does not confirm formulated laws, what should happen?

general science

1

36

Shapley, Velikovsky and the Scientific Spirit

Horace Kallen

chronicles Shapley's unethical behavior

cult of scientists

1

41

Akhnaten, Aten and Venus Reconsidered

Lewis M. Greenberg

links Venus to Egyptian Aten, worshipped by Pharaoh Akhnaten

Egypt

1

42

Could Mars Have Been an Inner Planet?

Lynn Rose

The Orbits of Mars, Earth and Venus

solar system

1

43

Venus' Circular Orbit

Chris Sherrerd

molten Venus and tidal friction could reduce orbital eccentricity

solar system

1

43

Reexamination of the Foundations

George Grinnell

foundations for evolution, uniformitariansim, gravity

cult of scientists

1

44

Velikovsky and the Scientific Method

Lionel Rubinov

comparative approach to knowledge

general science

1

44

Letters

various

various topics

1

47

Velikovsky at Harvard

Stephen L. Talbott

lectures and workshop were well received

Velikovsky

1

51

Is Venus' Heat Decreasing?

Immanuel Velikovsky

cloud top temperatures seen dropping since 1920's

solar system

2

4

The Future of a Publishing Idea

publisher

response to initial issue will result in total of 10 issues dedicated to Velikovsky and his works

Velikovsky

2

6

Reconciling Celestial Mechanics and Velikovskian Catastrophism

Ralph Juergens

plasma in interplanetary space; sun's energy from fusion alone is disproven

solar system

2

13

Velikovsky Science vs. Anti-science

W. C. Straka

author questions Velikovsky's theories and predictions

cult of scientists

2

16

Straka: Science vs. Anti-science, Anatomy of a Criticism

Immanuel Velikovsky

response to Straka, correct data and unbiased evaluation are missing

cult of scientists

2

17

On the Discoveries Concerning Jupiter and Venus

V. Bargmann and Lloyd Motz

1962 article noted scientific findings that confirmed Velikovsky's predictions

solar system

2

19

Velikovsky on the Formation of Coal

Wilfrid Francis

theory of formation by forest fire

general science

2

22

H. Hess and My Memoranda

Immanuel Velikovsky

recollection of exchanges with Hess, mostly in 1960's

Velikovsky

2

30

Oedipus and Akhnaton

Immanuel Velikovsky

Greek Oedipus story similar to Pharaoh Akhnaton

Egypt, Greece

2

31

Akhnaton: A Geneticist's View

Cyril D. Darlington

the influence of Egypt on Greece

Egypt

2

33

Review: NASA-Ames meeting with Velikovsky

Richard F. Haines

Velikovsky's lecture impressed the scientists at Ames

Velikovsky

2

33

Lewis and Clark Symposium

summary

Velikovsky at the 3-day event

Velikovsky

2

35

Science and Decency

editors

reactions by some scientists have reduced the public confidence in the scientific community

cult of scientists

2

37

Censorship

editors

ads rejected by American Scientist and by Sky and Telescope

cult of scientists

2

37

Planetarium Show

editors

Fort Worth planetarium dramatizes Worlds in Collision (in 1972)

Velikovsky, cult of scientists

2

38

Loren Eiseley

editors

Velikovsky quoted him in Worlds in Collision; he mentioned Velikovsky in two books

Velikovsky

2

39

The Breaking Edge - excerpts from technical literature

editors

cosmic violence; atmosphere of Venus; Moon; Mars; Carbon 14; Ben Franklin

solar system

2

42

Notes on Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky

P. P. M. Meincke

most important that ideas stimulate thought and experiment

general science

2

42

Velikovsky's Critics and Catastrophism

Ian MacIver

time has caught up with the Velikovsky critics

cult of scientists

2

43

A Classroom Experiment

H. B. Keller

visiting scientists discuss Velikovsky with students

cult of scientists

2

43

Is Asteroid Toro a Remnant of Comet-Planet Collision?

Robert Treash

5 to 8 resonance with Earth

solar system

2

44

Letters

various

seven short letters

2

45

Apocalypse, a poem

Ann Deagon

about Velikovsky

Velikovsky

2

47

A Call to Action

Joseph May

push for research, organization, publicity

general science

2

49

Personal Notes to Velikovsky

various

four short letters

Velikovsky

3

6

A Quantitative Test for Catastrophic Theories

Euan W. MacKie

radiocarbon dating and catastrophism

general science

3

7

Challenge to the Integrity of Science, Excerpts

Euan W. MacKie

skepticism does not explain the violent reactions to Velikovsky

cult of scientists

3

10

A Reading of the Pyramid Texts

William Mullen

myths in Egypt and the texts found in the pyramid of Unas

Egypt

3

17

The Orientation of the Pyramids

Immanuel Velikovsky

difference between direction of Earth's axis and the position of the N/S poles

Egypt

3

18

Babylonian Observations of Venus

Lynn E. Rose

historical record of changing orbits

Babylon, Venus

3

22

The Orbits of Venus

C. J. Ransom and L. H. Hoffee

possible orbital configurations

solar system

3

25

Earth without a Moon

Immanuel Velikovsky

several ancient peoples claim a time before the Moon

solar system; general history

3

26

The Lion Gate at Mycenae

Lewis M. Greenberg

art-historical contradictions

Greece

3

31

The Lion Gate at Mycenae

Immanuel Velikovsky

problems dating the stone lions

Greece

3

32

Velikovsky's Challenge to the Scientific Establishment

Sidney Willhelm

scientific objectivity and research

cult of scientists

3

36

Papyrus Ipuwer: Confirmation of Velikovsky's claims

editors

Egyptian text records the Exodus

Egypt, Israel

3

39

Velikovsky at Princeton

editors

lecture filmed by BBC

Velikovsky

3

40

Teotihuacan-The City of the Gods

Salvador Novo

a dramatization of the ancient belief, in Mexico

native American myths

3

44

Miscellaneous. Cometary Venus; BBC documentary; planetariums; radiocarbon dating

various

small articles

general science

3

45

The Synthesis of Manna

Wong Kee Kuong

generation of formaldehyde could lead to sugars and starches

general science

3

46

Giordano Bruno's View on the Earth without a Moon

A. M. Paterson

Bruno was well ahead of his time

general history

3

47

Letters

various

eleven; most are short

3

51

On Celestial Mechanics. A Supplement

Martin Kruskal, Ralph Juergens, C. E. R. Bruce, Melvin A. Cook

six articles about the common theme proposed by Juergens

solar system

4

4

Editor's Page

Editors

past and future issues

Velikovsky

4

7

The Radiocarbon Dating Method

W. F. Libby

'state of the method' by its inventor

general science

4

12

The Pitfalls of Radiocarbon Dating

Immanuel Velikovsky

how Libby's warnings were ignored

general science

4

15

The Ages of Bristlecone Pine

Herbert C. Sorensen

data must be published for analysis

general science

4

19

Radiocarbon Dating and Velikovskian Catastrophism

Thomas Mowles

supporting evidence

general science

4

26

Carbon 14 Dates and Velikovsky's Revision of Ancient History: Samples from Pylos and Gordion

Israel M. Isaacson

Pylos in Greece and Gordion in Turkey

Greece, Turkey

4

27

The Revised Chronology centerfold

John Holbrook

Ethiopia, Egypt, Hebrews, Syria, Greece, others

historical reconstruction

4

33

Ages in Chaos in the Light of C14 Archaeometry

Albert W. Burgstahler and Eaun W. MacKie

radiocarbon dates in Egypt

Egypt

4

38

Astronomy and Chronology

Immanuel Velikovsky

sources of error in conventional chronology

historical reconstruction

4

41

A Comparison of the Revised and Conventional Chronologies

Immanuel Velikovsky

links of events in Egypt to events with Hebrews

historical reconstruction

5

5

Metallurgy and Chronology

Immanuel Velikovsky

shortcomings of linking events based on metallurgy

general history

5

10

A Criticism of the Revised Chronology

William H. Stiebing, Jr.

claims current archeological evidence is in harmony

historical reconstruction

5

13

The El-Amarna Letters and the Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia

Albert W. Burgstahler

problems synchronizing Egypt to Babylon and Assyria

Babylon, Egypt

5

16

The Velocity of Light in Relation to Moving Bodies

Immanuel Velikovsky

experiment proposed in 1944 to test if speed of light is independent of the velocity of its source

general science

5

19

A Missed Opportunity

Immanuel Velikovsky

Skylab was empty during a significant solar eclipse

general science

5

20

Eclipses in Ancient Times

Immanuel Velikovsky and John Q. Stewart

exchanges in 1951

general history

5

22

"Support for Velikovsky." A poll of scientists

editors

Industrial Research poll

cult of scientists

5

22

Comets and Catastrophes

editors

several articles

solar system

5

24

Eiros and Charmion

Edgar Allan Poe

a short story by Poe

literature

5

27

The Venus Greenhouse Theory. Further evidence against it

editors

absence of water is a problem

solar system

5

28

Velikovsky and the Media

editors

several publications

cult of scientists

5

30

Miscellaneous

various

letters, lectures, excerpts

5

31

Gyroscopic Precession and Celestial Axis Displacement

C. S. Sherrerd

celestial movement of poles is easier than a geographical change

general science

5

33

A Note on Rockenbach's De Cometis

Carter Sutherland

myth of Typhon aligns with Exodus

Israel, Bible

5

34

The Logic of Theory-Testing: Some Criticisms of MacKie

Lynn E. Rose, with a reply by MacKie

general theories and specific theories

general science

5

35

Hittites and Their Skulls

Lewis M. Greenberg

Velikovsky chronology solves the skull problem

Egypt

5

36

Oedipus and Akhnaton and the Use of Evidence in Worlds in Collision

Lewis M. Greenberg

historical facts for drama

Egypt

5

36

The Origin of Certain Unexplained Depressions

C. J. Ransom

bays along the Atlantic coast perhaps have a common origin

general science

5

36

Letters

various

eleven

5

42

On Cosmic Electricity. A Supplement

Martin Kruskal, Ralph Juergens, C.E.R. Bruce, Eric Crew

continuing exchanges about electric universe

solar system

6

3

A Symposium Announcement for June 1974

editors

held near Toronto

Velikovsky

6

5

ASH-A Historical Record

various letters

60 letters between many scientists, from 1953 to 1973

radiocarbon dating

6

20

Venus Clouds: Test for Hydrocarbons

William T. Plummer

claims no evidence of hydrocarbons

solar system

6

21

Venus and Hydrocarbons

Immanuel Velikovsky

response to Plummer, hydrocarbons are still possible in the lower levels of atmosphere

solar system

6

24

The Nature of the Cytherean Atmosphere

Albert W. Burgstahler

detailed analysis of Venus atmosphere

solar system

6

31

Venus' Atmosphere

Immanuel Velikovsky

response to Burgstahler

solar system

6

37

A Concluding Note

Albert W. Burgstahler

notes that hydrocarbons are possible in lower levels of Venus atmosphere

solar system

6

38

On Stiebing: A Reply

Immanuel Velikovsky

Exodus versus Papyrus

Egypt

6

42

Scarabs

Immanuel Velikovsky

scarabs were commonly used for Egyptian seals and also found in Palestine, to help synchronize events

Egypt

6

45

Tiryns

Immanuel Velikovsky

Greek archeology

Greece

6

47

China's Dragon

Carter Sutherland

mythical origin of the dragon, as common in China as the cross in the Church

China

6

51

Atlantis

Lewis M. Greenberg

the date Velikovsky suggested in Worlds in Collision has become the popular date

historical reconstruction

6

55

"Velikovsky's Challenge to Science." An American Association for the Advancement of Science Symposium

editors

details about the upcoming symposium in February 1974

cult of scientists

6

56

A New Chapter in the "Velikovsky Affair"

Ernst Opik, Eric Crew

Opik blasted Velikovsky in Irish Astronomical Journal; Eric Crew responds

cult of scientists

6

57

Yet Another Chapter

Carl Sagan

misleading remarks at NASA Ames Research Center, Dec. 1973

cult of scientists

6

58

On the Lecture Circuit: Velikovsky at NASA Langley, IBM and elsewhere

various excerpts

Velikovsky lectures

Velikovsky

6

60

Forum

various

twelve, including a long letter from Juergens

solar system

7

10

My Challenge to Conventional Science

Immanuel Velikovsky

his paper at symposium

general science and history

7

15

Mechanics Bears Witness

Irving Michelson

his paper at symposium

solar system

7

23

"Velikovsky's Challenge to Science." The story of a symposium

staff

account of the symposium

cult of scientists, Velikovsky

7

24

The Genesis of a Symposium

editors

Walter Orr Roberts first suggested one; Ivan King moderated the symposium with very biased attitude

cult of scientists

7

25

On the Need for "Serious Scientific Meetings."

editor

hopes for an unbiased scientific analysis were dashed

cult of scientists

7

31

San Francisco, February 25, 1974

editors

excerpts of all participants

cult of scientists

7

35

Mulholland's Arguments: A Brief Assessment

Ralph E. Juergens

response to his presentation

cult of scientists; solar system

7

38

Electricity Absent from Sagan's Astrophysics

Ralph E. Juergens

response to his presentation

cult of scientists

7

43

A Letter to Science

editors

Michelson's letter to Science (in response to his treatment at symposium) that was never published

cult of scientists

7

44

For the Benefit of the Press

editors

news reports of the symposium, rather consistently slanted against Velikovsky

cult of scientists

7

47

Review and letters

various

Argon on Mars, collective amnesia, censorship in Scientific American, four letters

general science

7

51

The Atom and Oil

Immanuel Velikovsky

published in 1948 New York Post - commentary on oil, atomic energy and war

general science

8

5

The Titius-Bode Law and the Evolution of the Solar System

M. M. Nieto

planetary orbit distributions (he just wrote a book about it)

solar system

8

7

Bode's Law without Venus

C. J. Ransom

a similar 'law' exists with no Venus

solar system

8

8

Did Worlds Collide?

Robert W. Bass

instability in the solar system

solar system

8

21

"Proofs" of the Stability of the Solar System

Robert W. Bass

examines traditional arguments

solar system

8

27

Velikovsky and the Sequence of Planetary Orbits

Lynn E. Rose and Raymond C. Vaughan

orbital energy and eccentricity

solar system

8

35

The Lengths of the Year

Lynn E. Rose

how old was Methuselah?

historical reconstruction

8

37

"Velikovsky and the Recent History of the Solar System"

editorial report

symposium at McMaster University

Velikovsky

8

43

Guardians of the Boundaries of Science, Nature

Isaac Asimov and others

a renewed smear campaign

cult of scientists

8

44

The Titius-Bode Law of Planetary Distances, by M. M. Nieto

Irving Michelson

book review

solar system

8

45

Electrical Discharges and the Transmutation of Elements

Ralph E. Juergens

radioactivity at Aristarchus crater on the Moon noted by Apollo

solar system

8

46

Forum

various

four letters

9

5

Applying the Revised Chronology

Isaac M. Isaacson

archeology at Mycenae, Tiryns, Troy, Ugarit, Alalakh

historical reconstruction

9

21

Of the Moon and Mars. Part I

Ralph E. Juergens

origin of lunar rilles

solar system

9

31

Radiometric Dating: Is the "Decay Constant" Constant?

John Lynde Anderson and George W. Spangler

answer - maybe not

general science

9

34

The Mesoamerican Record

William Mullen

sychronizing dates of the fateful events in Central American cultures

native American religions

9

45

Myth and the Origin of Religion

Vine Deloria, Jr.

new attitudes toward myth

general religion

10

5

Megalithic Astronomy and Catastrophism

Euan W. MacKie

describing a number of ancient monuments, mostly in the British Isles

general history

10

21

The Scandal of Enkomi

Immanuel Velikovsky

excavations on Cyprus had to resolve timelines in both Greece and Egypt

Greece, Egypt

10

24

Rejoinder to Velikovsky

William H Stiebing, Jr.

reply to Velikovsky in Pensee 6

historical reconstruction

10

26

A Concluding Retort

Immanuel Velikovsky

reply to Stiebing here

historical reconstruction

10

27

Of the Moon and Mars. Part 2

Ralph E. Juergens

searching for the scars of interplanetary battle

solar system

10

40

Why Pensee?

editors

Reflections upon completion of our tenth issue

Velikovsky

10

42

On the Symposium Trail

editors

five were held in 1974 regarding Velikovsky and his theories

Velikovsky

10

46

"Velikovsky and Cultural Amnesia."

editors

The University of Lethbridge symposium; summarizes the 8 papers given

general science

10

50

Scientifically Speaking: calendars

Irving M. Michelson

19-year lunar calendar cycle

general history