To answer from now on, and in a summary way, we will say that Spiritism is, at the same time, a science of observation and a philosophical doctrine. As a practical science, it consists of the relationships that can be established with spirits;
as a philosophy it understands all the moral consequences that flow from these relationships.
You can define it like this: Spiritism is a science that deals with the nature, origin and destiny of spirits, and their relationship with the
body world.

Spiritism is a philosophical science of religious consequences codified in 1857, when the first edition of “The Spirits’ Book”, by Professor Rivail (Allan Kardec) under the guidance of the Superior Spirits.

There are other complementary works by Allan Kardec, which can be read later. These are the fundamental ones, the essential ones for the spiritist knowledge.

These works must be studied, as they are the basis for a good understanding of the doctrine. Briefly, we would have the following reading “indication”:

1st – What is Spiritism?;
2 – The Spirits’ Book;
3 – The Mediums’ Book;
4th – The Revue Spirite;
5th – (in the order of your choice): Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell and Genesis.

We must understand that the five works that make up the pillar of the Doctrine of Spirits are complete, and must be studied and understood by all spiritists.

But on “The Spirits’ Book is built a whole edifice: that of the spiritist doctrine. It is the cornerstone of Spiritism, its starting point.

Main works of the Codification

The principles of Spiritism are formulated in the codification of Allan Kardec in his five books:

. The Spirits’ Book (1857)
. The Mediums’ Books (1861)
. The Gospel According to Spiritism (1864)
. Heaven and Hell (1865)
. The Genesis (1868)