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{{Short description|French astrologer}}
'''Élizabeth Teissier''', née '''Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann''' born on 6 January 1938 in ], is a French astrologer.
{{Infobox person
| name = Élizabeth Teissier
| birth_name = Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann
| image = Elizabeth Teissier.jpg
| caption = Teissier in May 2009
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1938|01|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], ]
| nationality = French
| occupation = {{hlist|Model|Actress|]|Television presenter|Author}}
| website = http://www.eteissier.com/
}}


A former model and actress, she created in 1975-1976  French television's first daily horoscope on the channel ]. In 1981, she launched the ''Astro Show'' television programme in Germany.<span class="cx-segment" data-segmentid="87"></span> '''Élizabeth Teissier''' (née '''Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann'''; born 6 January 1938) is a French ] and former model and actress. Between 1975 and 1976, she created a daily horoscope on French television channel ], and in 1981, she launched the ''Astro Show'' television programme in Germany. Her personal clients included former President of France ], and she has published several books on astrology. A test that compared her predictions against common sense and chance failed to show any evidence of her having any special powers.


Élizabeth Teissier has been the subject of several controversies, including her being awarded of a Doctorate in Sociology for a thesis that defended astrology, whose validity was hotly contested by the scientific community, for astrological predictions that proved false later, and for her lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation for damaging her reputation with the ]. She has been involved in several controversies, including the award of a ] in ] for her ] which argued that astrology was being oppressed by science. Her work was ]; criticisms included the alleged failure to work within the field of sociology and also lacking the necessary scientific rigour for a doctoral thesis in any scientific field. The university and jury who awarded the degree were harshly criticised, though both they and Teissier had supporters and defenders.

In 2015, Teissier unsuccessfully sued the ], claiming that the ] damaged her reputation.


== Biography == == Biography ==


=== Early life === === Early life ===
Born to a Swiss father and a French mother, she married André Teissier du Cros in 1960,<ref>, sur ''].fr''.</ref>. and achieved a Masters in Modern Literature in 1963.<ref name="Ardisson">], interview d'Élizabeth Teissier, émission '']'' sur ], le <time class="nowrap" datetime="2001-11-10">10 novembre 2001</time>.</ref>. Born to a Swiss father and a French mother, she married André Teissier du Cros in 1960.<ref>, at ''].fr''.</ref> She gained a Masters in Modern Literature in 1963<ref name="Ardisson">], interview with Élizabeth Teissier, from '']'' on ], at 10 November 2001.</ref> and a ] in Literature in 1992.<ref name = Skepter />




=== Career === === Career ===
Between 1965 and 1975, she acted in a dozen films, including mainly soft erotic films, but also ones directed by ] ('']'', 1969), ], ] and ]. She has also worked as a model, notably for ].<ref></ref>
Between 1964 and 1975, Elizabeth Teissier worked as a model for ], modelling agency Catherine Harlé, and Models International. Coco Chanel, the agency Catherine Harle, then with Models International, with notable photographs in '']'', '']'' and '']''.


In 1968 she became a student of the astrologer Henri Joseph Gouchon on the advice of ].<ref name="Ardisson"/> Afterwards, from 1975 to 2009, she had several astrological columns, presented astrology on television, and published pleas for astrology's recognition.<ref>
Between 1965 and 1975, she acted in a dozen films, including mainly soft erotic films, but also ones directed by  ] (<nowiki>''</nowiki><nowiki>]</nowiki><nowiki>''</nowiki>, 1969'')'', ], ], ] and ]<ref>{{En icon}} sur ''].com''.</ref>.
* From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: ''Astralement vôtre'' or ''Interlude astral'', daily broadcast on ] (now ]).
* April 1976: publication of '' (une défense de l'astrologie)'' (''Do Not Burn the Witch (A Defense of Astrology)''), published by J.-J. Pauvert
* 1977–2003: Astrology section in the magazine '']''
* 1978–1979: ''Au Bonheur des astres'', weekly show on Antenne 2
* 1979–1980: ''La Légende des Ciels'', weekly show on Antenne 2
* 1980–1983: ''Astro Show'': on ], ] and ] in ], ] and ]
* In 1 February 2003, she began publishing in the weekly '']'', published by ] group.</ref>


From 1989, she advised the French President, ], who consulted her regularly at the ].<ref name=HTFT/> Her advice covered both personal matters, such as his health, and matters of state such as the ] and the timing of the ].<ref name=HTFT>{{citation |title=How the French Think |first=Sudhir |last=Hazareesingh |publisher=Penguin |year=2015 |isbn=9780141974804 |pages=62–63 |chapter=Darkness and Light}}</ref> She released transcripts of their recorded conversations four years after his death.<ref name=Henley>{{citation |newspaper=The Observer |title=How Mitterrand sought advice from astrologer |date=25 June 2000 |first=Jon |last=Henley |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/25/jonhenley.theobserver2}}</ref> For example, he said, "You once told me there were days when it was better to talk, and days when it was better not to talk. When is the next best day for me to speak? Could you check for me?"<ref name=Henley/>
In 1968 she became a student of the astrologer  Henri Joseph Gouchon on the advice of ]<ref name="Ardisson">], interview d'Élizabeth Teissier, émission '']'' sur ], le <time class="nowrap" datetime="2001-11-10">10 novembre 2001</time>.</ref>. Afterwards, from 1975 to 2009, she had several astrological columns, presented astrology on television, and published pleas for astrology's recognition.<ref>
* du <time class="nowrap" datetime="1975-07-16">16 juillet 1975</time> au <time class="nowrap" datetime="1976-02-15">15 février 1976</time> : ''Astralement vôtre'' ou ''Interlude astral'', émission quotidienne sur Antenne 2 (aujourd'hui ]). L'émission déclenche une polémique avec l’Union rationaliste, dont le président ] sera opposé à Élizabeth Teissier lors de l'émission ''L’Huile sur le feu'', animée par ], le <time class="nowrap" datetime="1977-02-28">28 février 1977</time> ;
* avril 1976 : publication de '' (une défense de l’astrologie)'', chez J.- J. Pauvert, avec une préface de ]
* 1977-2003 : rubrique astrologique du magazine '']'' ;
* 1978-1979 : ''Au Bonheur des astres'', émission hebdomadaire sur Antenne 2 au cours de laquelle elle interprète le ] de personnalités parmi lesquelles ], ], ], ], ], ] ou ]<sup class="need_ref_tag" style="padding-left:2px;"></sup> ;
* 1979-1980 : ''La Légende des Ciels'', émission hebdomadaire sur Antenne 2 ;
* 1980-1983 : ''Astro Show'' : sur ], ] et ] en ], ] et ] ;
* de 1989 à 1995, elle enregistre plusieurs ] avec ]. Des extraits de ces cassettes sont diffusés sur ] en mai 1997, lors de la publication de son ouvrage ''Sous le signe de Mitterrand, sept ans d’entretiens'' (Éditions <abbr class="abbr" title="numéro">n<sup>o</sup></abbr><abbr class="abbr" title="numéro"></abbr>&nbsp;<span>1</span>) ;
* le <time class="nowrap" datetime="2003-02-01"><abbr class="abbr" title="premier">1<sup>er</sup></abbr> février 2003</time>, elle devient l’astrologue en titre de l’hebdomadaire de '']'', du groupe ].</ref>


=== Evaluation of her prediictions === === Filmography ===
* 1966 (uncredited): '']'',<ref> {{in lang|pl}}</ref> directed by ]<ref></ref>
Elizabeth Teissier writes regularly of her success rate of 80% or even 90% of her predictions. The Circle Zététique of Languedoc-Roussillon, via a test conducted at the University of Nice from April 2000 to January 2001, however, argued that her predictions and random predictions by a computer yielded identical results.
* 1966 (uncredited): '']'',<ref></ref> directed by ]<ref></ref>
* 1968: '']'' (''Les Jeunes Loups''), directed by ]<ref></ref><ref>, by the ]</ref>
* 1968: '']'' directed by ]<ref> (click on the "Générique artistique" tab to see her listed)</ref>
* 1969: '']'', directed by ]<ref></ref>
* 1969: '']'' (''La Rose écorchée''), directed by ]<ref></ref>
* 1971: '']'', directed by ]<ref> by Philippe Chouvel</ref>
* 1972: '']'', directed by ]<ref></ref>
* 1972: '']'', directed by ]<ref></ref><ref></ref>
* 1973: '']'' (''L'Événement le plus important depuis que l'homme a marché sur la Lune''), directed by ]<ref></ref>
* 1973: '']'', directed by ]<ref></ref>
* 1975: '']'',<ref></ref> directed by ]<ref></ref>


===Television astrology shows===
A team compared twenty-two forecasts made by Élizabeth Teissier for 2000 to twenty-two forecasts by a group using a common sense reasoning, and twenty-two forecasts made by using a computer to choose random dates. The target was a minimum of 16 successes for Teissier (73%)
From 1975 to 1983, she hosted a series of television shows making astrological predictions:
* From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: ''Astralement vôtre'' or ''Interlude astral'', daily broadcast on ] (now ]).
<!--* 1977-2003: Astrology section in the magazine '']''; Can't cite-->
* 1978–1979: ''Au Bonheur des astres'', weekly show on Antenne 2
* 1979–1980: ''La Légende des Ciels'', weekly show on Antenne 2
* 1980–1983: ''Astro Show'': on ] in Germany.<ref></ref>
<!--* In 1 February 2003, she bagan publishing in the weekly '']'', published by ] group. - Can't cite-->


== Astrological predictions ==
Results:
According to Teissier, her predictions have a success rate of 80% to 90%.<ref name="zetetique.org">Cercle Zététique du Languedoc-Roussillon, , 2001.</ref> She claims to have predicted events such as ], ] and the ].<ref name="Eakin" />
* Random choice<span> </span>: 8 successes
* Teissier<span></span>: 7 successes
* Common sense<span> </span>: 7 successes.
The experiment concluded that there was no evidence of Élizabeth Teissier havingany particular gift, with common-sense predictions or even random chance having equivalent results.<ref>Cercle Zététique du Languedoc-Roussillon, , 2001.</ref>


The Circle Zététique of Languedoc-Roussillon, via a test conducted at the University of Nice from April 2000 to January 2001, argued that her predictions and random predictions by a computer yielded identical results.<ref name="zetetique.org"/>
== Controversies ==


A team compared twenty-two forecasts made by Élizabeth Teissier for 2000 to twenty-two forecasts by a group using a common sense reasoning, and twenty-two forecasts made by using a computer to choose random dates. The target was a minimum of 16 successes for Teissier (73%).<ref name="zetetique.org"/>
=== Sociology thesis ===
April 7, 2001, Elizabeth Teissier defended a theis a thesis entitled Situation épistémologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination-rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes at the ] under the supervision of  ] and with the jury presided over by ]. The thesis opened with an apocryphal quote supposedly by ] praising the merits of astrology. Subsequent research showed Einstein had never spoken on the subject.<ref>Jean-Paul Krivine, , ''pseudo-sciences.org'', décembre 2001.</ref>


Results:
The defense, the cancellation of which the astrophysicist  ] had requested the day before<ref name="Rotmann-Libération">Charlotte Rotmann, '''', ], 9 avril 2001.</ref>, was punctuated by a sequence of applause after the introduction, but also proved anopportunity for part of the public attending the thesis (between 200 and 300 people according to witnesses) to show its first signs of protest. Sven Ortoli, editor-in-chief of the magazine '']'', stood up and declared "Je dois partir, mais c’est une farce à laquelle on assiste aujourd’hui. Le roi est nu." (I have to go, but what we are seeing today is a joke. The emperor is naked.) Others simply left while slamming the doors<ref>Eric Hoogcarspel et Jan Willem Nienhuys, ''''</ref>.
* Random choice: 8 successes
* Teissier: 7 successes
* Common sense: 7 successes.
The experiment concluded that there was no evidence of Élizabeth Teissier having any particular gift, with common-sense predictions or even random chance having equivalent results.<ref name="zetetique.org"/>


=== Cancer prediction claims ===
The award of a Doctorate in Sociology to Élizabeth Teissier after her defense caused considerable controversy in the scientific community and several sociologists challenged its legitimacy. <ref>Serge Paugam, ''La Pratique de la sociologie'', Paris, ], 2008, <abbr class="abbr" title="page(s)">p.</abbr>&nbsp;117 ; cf. également Gérald Houdeville, ''Le Métier de sociologue en France depuis 1945. ''</ref>.The award was heavily criticised by  French sociologists, including an article in  '']'' on 17 April 2001 by ] and ]<ref>Cf. ], ], '''', '']'', 18 avril 2001 ; .</ref>, as well as a 30 April petition addressed to the president of the University Paris Descartes<ref>http://pagesperso-orange.fr/cibois/Texte.htm</ref> signed by 300 sociologists.<ref>Cf. la et Daniel Filâtre, ''Affaire Teissier : historique'', ''op. cit.''</ref> Many other critical reactions were published in the French press.<ref>Cf. par exemple Alain Bourdin, '''', ], 19 avril 2001, et les articles reproduits dans la revue de presse de l'] : , , , .</ref> though she had her defenders as well.<ref>, '']'', 20 septembre 2001</ref><span class="cx-segment" data-segmentid="329"></span>
Teissier sparked controversy and denunciation in September 2007<ref> (''Mariella Madonna: "She says anything"'') by Fabiano Citroni in '']'' 14 September 2007; ().</ref> when she said, in an interview with the Swiss daily newspaper '']'', that "in an astrological chart, you can see if you have a predisposition to cancer, and the type of cancer in question" and that "astrology has never killed anyone, unlike medicine".<ref></ref>


== Sociology thesis ==
Outside of sociology, four French Nobel Prize winners (], ], ] et ]) protested the awarding of the doctorate to ], then Minister of Education<ref>Hervé Morin, '''', '']'', 4 mai 2001.</ref>.<span class="cx-segment" data-segmentid="346"></span>
{{main|Teissier affair}}
On 7 April 2001, Elizabeth Teissier ]<ref>{{cite book|url = http://ecolesdoctorales.parisdescartes.fr/ed180/content/download/56524/298247/version/1/file|language = French|title = Université Paris Decartes: école doctorale &ndash; sciences humaines et sociales &ndash; cultures, individus, sociétés|chapter = Procédure de Soutenance|pages = 15–18|publisher = ]}}</ref> entitled ''Situation épistémologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination-rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes'' ("The Epistemological Situation of Astrology in Relation to the Ambivalent Fascination/Rejection of Postmodern Societies").<ref name = thesis>{{cite thesis|first = Élizabeth|last = Teissier|title = Situation épistémiologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination/rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes|type = Ph.D.|publisher = Paris Descartes University|year = 2001|url = http://theses.fr/2001PA05H017}}</ref><ref name=Krivine /><ref name=Eakin /> Her studies at the ] (a member of the ]), were under the supervision of ], an ] of Sociology.<ref name=Krivine>Jean-Paul Krivine, , ''pseudo-sciences.org'', December 2001.</ref> The central idea of the ] was described by '']'' as being that astrology is being oppressed by science, which Teissier called "official science" and "monolithic thought".<ref name="Eakin">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/02/arts/02ASTR.html|title= Star Wars: Is Astrology Sociology?|last=Eakin|first=Emily|date=2 June 2001|work=New York Times|accessdate=27 June 2016}}</ref> Teissier argued, however, that her work is devoid of bias and had "focused only on the misunderstanding that astrology as a multimillennial knowledge vehicle" provokes.<ref name = Gourdin_LeSoir>{{cite news|url = http://archives.lesoir.be/qui-predira-la-fin-de-l-affaire-teissier-_t-20010818-Z0KU3Z.html|newspaper = ]|title = Qui prédira la fin de l'affaire Teissier?|last = Gourdin|first = Caroline|page = 9|date = 18 August 2001|accessdate = 8 October 2016|language = French}}</ref> Her prepared statement was enthusiastically received by her supporters, but there was also a declaration from the ] of '']'' that what was occurring was a "farce".<ref name = Skepter>{{cite journal|url = http://skepsis.nl/doctorteissier/|title = ET in the Sorbonne: The creation of a doctor in astrology|first1 = Eric|last1 = Hoogcarspel|first2 = Jan W.|last2 = Nienhuys|authorlink2 = Jan Willem Nienhuys|journal = ]|date = June 2001}}</ref><ref name = Rotmann>{{cite news|first = Charlotte|last = Rotmann|url = http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2001/04/09/elizabeth-teissier-docteur-des-astres_360739|title = Elizabeth Teissier docteur des astres &ndash; Polémique universitaire autour de sa thèse de sociologie|newspaper = ]|date = 9 April 2001|accessdate = 8 October 2016|language = French}}</ref> At end of the defense, the jury deliberated only briefly before ] admitted Teissier to her doctoral degree<ref name = LCandD>{{cite news|url = http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/analyse/socio.html|first1 = Bernard|last1 = Lahire|first2 = Philippe|last2 = Cibois|first3 = Dominique|last3 = Desjeux|title = La non thèse de sociologie d'Élizabeth Teissier|year = 2001|newspaper = Le magazine de l'homme moderne|accessdate = 8 October 2016|language = French}}</ref> with the "very honourable" distinction.<ref>{{cite book|chapter = Case Study: Examining a French PhD Thesis in Sociology and Related Disciplines|pages = 72–73|first = Rod|last = Watson|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9ZjlAAAAQBAJ&q=tr%C3%A8s+honorable+avec+f%C3%A9licitations+academic&pg=PA73|title = The Doctoral Examination Process: A Handbook For Students, Examiners And Supervisors|editor1-last = Tinkler|editor1-first = Penny|editor2-last = Jackson|editor2-first = Carolyn|publisher = ]|year = 2004|isbn = 9780335213054}}</ref><ref name = JuryRules>{{cite web|url = http://ecolesdoctorales.parisdescartes.fr/ed180/content/download/4014/28671/version/1/file|title = Rappels et Conseils pour la Constitution des Jurys de Thèses et l'Organisation des Soutenances|date = 7 August 2006|accessdate = 8 October 2016|first = Olivier|last = Martin|publisher = ]|language = French}}</ref>


The decision to award Teissier's doctorate was controversial, and several sociologists also publicly challenged its legitimacy.<ref name = LeMonde>Cf. ], ], '''', '']'', 18 April 2001; .</ref><ref name = Liberation>C.f., for example Alain Bourdin, '''', ], 19 April 2001, and the articles published in the press review by the ]: , , , .</ref><ref>Serge Paugam, ''La Pratique de la sociologie'', Paris, ], 2008, <abbr class="abbr" title="page(s)">p.</abbr>&nbsp;117; cf. également Gérald Houdeville, ''Le Métier de sociologue en France depuis 1945. ''</ref> The university was criticised for granting the degree, as was the jury, along with Teissier's statements in support of astrology as a science.<ref name = LeMonde /><ref name = Liberation />
==== Scientific analysis of the thesis ====
The scientific, philosophical and sociological aspects of the thesis have been studied by a group of scientists from several disciplines,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/analyse/|titre=Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier|id=Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier|author=], ], ], ], ], ], ] et ]|date={{date|6|août|2001}}|consulté le={{date|6|janvier|2008}}}} ; cf. également, sur la page de ], ].</ref>, including members of the ]. It was analysed i detail by a group of astrophysicists (], ], Denis Savoie), sociologists (Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois et Dominique Desjeux), a philosopher (]) and specialists in pseudosciences (Henri Broch et Jean-Paul Krivine)<ref>Cf. également , 2001 ; , 6 août 2001.</ref>.


The analysis found it was not supported by ] or ], and also failed on ]<ref name="homme-moderne.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/analyse/|titre=Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier|id=Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier|auteur=Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois, ], Jean Audouze, Henri Broch, Jean-Paul Krivine, Jean-Claude Pecker et Jacques Bouveresse|date={{date|6|août|2001}}|consulté le={{date|6|janvier|2008}}}}</ref><span> </span> A petition signed by over 370 sociologists was sent to Professor ], the President of the university;<ref name = ASES>{{cite web|first = Daniel|last = Filâtre|url = http://cibois.pagesperso-orange.fr/HistTeissier.htm|title = Affaire Teissier: historique &ndash; Présentation par Daniel Filâtre, président de l'Ases (extrait de la Lettre de l'ASES 30 de décembre 2001)|date = 30 December 2001|accessdate = 8 October 2016|publisher = ] archives maintained by Philippe Cibois, former President|language = French}}</ref> he responded that Teissier had complied with all university requirements and it is not his place to question the "guarantees of the scientific validity of the thesis" from the independent jury.<ref name = UniPrez /> Daumard also defended that astrology is a legitimate subject for sociological study for its impact on society,<ref name = UniPrez>{{cite web|title = "René-Descartes" and Élizabeth Teissier|last = Daumard|first = Pierre|author-link = Pierre Daumard|url = http://cibois.pagesperso-orange.fr/Contrib.htm#Daumard|language = French|year = 2001|accessdate = 9 October 2016|publisher = ] archives maintained by Philippe Cibois, former President}}</ref> However, a group organised by the ] (AFIS) described it as "not a thesis in sociology but actually pro-astrological advocacy".<ref>{{cite web|title = COMMUNIQUÉ À LA PRESSE|date = 25 April 2001|accessdate = 6 October 2016|url = http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?article389|author = Association Française pour l'Information Scientifique|author-link = Association Française pour l'Information Scientifique}}</ref> They concluded that Teissier's work did not meet the requirements of scientific rigor of doctoral research, regardless of the discipline in question.<ref name="homme-moderne.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/analyse/|title=Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier|author=Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois, ], Jean Audouze, Henri Broch, Jean-Paul Krivine, ] et Jacques Bouveresse|date=6 August 2001|access-date=6 January 2008}}</ref>


=== Lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation === == Lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation ==
In July 2015, she sued the Wikimedia Foundation, saying the article about her on the French Misplaced Pages damaged her reputation, and required her to have the right of response. She lost the original trial and appeal. In June 2016, The Court of Appeal in Paris dismissed the case, stating that the Wikimedia Foundation had a technical role of hosting provider, and was thus not involved in the content, and that, further the remarks about Teissier fell within the limits of free criticism.<ref>, Thierry Noisette, ''].com'', 21 juin 2016.</ref><sup class="reference cite_virgule">,</sup><ref>{{Cite web|auteur=Alexis Orsini|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2016/06/21/l-astrologue-elizabeth-teissier-deboutee-de-sa-plainte-contre-la-fondation-wikimedia_4955263_4408996.html|site=].fr|date=21 juin 2016|titre=L’astrologue Elizabeth Teissier déboutée de sa plainte contre la fondation Wikimedia|consulté le=22 juin 2016}}</ref><sup class="reference cite_virgule">,</sup><ref>, Jérôme Ivanichtenko, ].fr, 22 juin 2016.</ref>. In July 2015, Teissier sued the ], saying the ] damaged her reputation, and required her to have the right of response. She lost the original trial and appeal. In June 2016, The Court of Appeal in Paris dismissed the case, stating that the Wikimedia Foundation had a technical role of hosting provider, and was thus not involved in the content, and that the remarks about Teissier fell within the limits of free criticism.<ref>"", Thierry Noisette, ''].com'', 21 June 2016.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Alexis Orsini|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2016/06/21/l-astrologue-elizabeth-teissier-deboutee-de-sa-plainte-contre-la-fondation-wikimedia_4955263_4408996.html|work=].fr|date=21 June 2016|title=L'astrologue Elizabeth Teissier déboutée de sa plainte contre la fondation Wikimedia|access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref><ref>, Jérôme Ivanichtenko, ].fr, 22 June 2016.</ref>

== Bibliography ==
*''Ne brûlez pas la sorcière'', ], 1970. {{oclc|3274316}}
*''Astralement vôtre : le triomphe d'une vocation'', ], 1980. {{ISBN|9782221005477}}
*''Astrologie, passion'', ], 1992. {{ISBN|9782010190599}}
*with ] ''Étoiles et molécules'', ], 1992. {{ISBN|9782246463412}}
*''Les Douze Signes du zodiaque'', Edition 1, 1993. {{oclc|492058661}}
*''Vos étoiles jusqu'en l'an 2001 : la conjoncture mondiale et votre horoscope année par année'', Edition 1, 1993. {{ISBN|9782863915417}}
*''Les étoiles de l'Elysée : astro-portraits'', Edition 1, 1995. {{ISBN|9782863916629}}
*''Sous le signe de Mitterrand'', Edition 1, 1997. {{ISBN|9782863918005}}
*''Le passage de tous les dangers : 1999–2004: à l'aube du troisième millénaire, un survol des influx cosmiques pour vous et pour le monde'', Laffont, 1999. {{ISBN|9782221089262}}
*''L'homme d'aujourd'hui et les astres : fascination et rejet'', ], 2001. {{ISBN|9782259196185}}
*''Votre horoscope 2009'', XO, 2008. {{ISBN|9782845633872}}
*with Gerhard Hynek ''2012–2016 : cinq années qui vont changer le monde'', XO, 2011. {{ISBN|9782845635340}}
*''Est-il votre Mars ? Est-elle votre Vénus ? : petit traité ludique de l'amour et de l'amitié'', XO, 2013. {{ISBN|9782845636040}}


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist|taille=30}} {{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* at the website of the AFIS journal '']'' (in French)
* '''' A collection of materials on the Teissier affair (in French)
*{{iMDb name|0854045}}


{{Authority control}}
=== Liens externes ===
* {{Authority control}}
* {{Official website|url=http://www.eteissier.com/}}
* <span class="ouvrage" id="1976"> <abbr class="abbr indicateur-format format-vidéo" title="Vidéo au format MPEG, AVI...">&#x5B;vidéo&#x5D;</abbr>, sur '']'', France Inter,&#x200E; <time class="nowrap" datetime="1976-07-13">13 juillet 1976</time></span><span class="ouvrage" id="1976"></span>
* : par l'Association française pour l'information scientifique.
*


{{DEFAULTSORT:Teissier, Elizabeth}}
==== Sur la thèse de sociologie d'Élizabeth Teissier ====
]
*
]
* : récit de la soutenance par Jean-Paul Krivine ; .
* '''' : revue de presse des critiques et défenses de Michel Maffesoli et Élizabeth Teissier, 2001.
* '''' : expertise collective et interdisciplinaire, 6 août 2001.
* '''' : rapport d'Henri Broch, Laboratoire de Zététique, 2001.
* : historique de Daniel Filâtre et documents réunis par Philippe Cibois, 2001.
* Revue de presse ] : , , , , 2001.
* Bernard Lahire, '''', Revue européenne des sciences sociales , XL-122 | 2002, mis en ligne le 12 décembre 2009, consulté le 21 août 2010.
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Latest revision as of 23:26, 18 November 2024

French astrologer
Élizabeth Teissier
Teissier in May 2009
BornGermaine Élizabeth Hanselmann
(1938-01-06) 6 January 1938 (age 86)
Algiers, French Algeria
NationalityFrench
Occupations
Websitehttp://www.eteissier.com/

Élizabeth Teissier (née Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann; born 6 January 1938) is a French astrologer and former model and actress. Between 1975 and 1976, she created a daily horoscope on French television channel Antenne 2, and in 1981, she launched the Astro Show television programme in Germany. Her personal clients included former President of France François Mitterrand, and she has published several books on astrology. A test that compared her predictions against common sense and chance failed to show any evidence of her having any special powers.

She has been involved in several controversies, including the award of a Doctorate in Sociology for her thesis which argued that astrology was being oppressed by science. Her work was contested by the scientific community; criticisms included the alleged failure to work within the field of sociology and also lacking the necessary scientific rigour for a doctoral thesis in any scientific field. The university and jury who awarded the degree were harshly criticised, though both they and Teissier had supporters and defenders.

In 2015, Teissier unsuccessfully sued the Wikimedia Foundation, claiming that the French Misplaced Pages article about her damaged her reputation.

Biography

Early life

Born to a Swiss father and a French mother, she married André Teissier du Cros in 1960. She gained a Masters in Modern Literature in 1963 and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature in 1992.

Career

Between 1965 and 1975, she acted in a dozen films, including mainly soft erotic films, but also ones directed by Sydney Pollack (Castle Keep, 1969), Marcel Carné, Philippe de Broca and Yves Robert. She has also worked as a model, notably for Coco Chanel.

In 1968 she became a student of the astrologer Henri Joseph Gouchon on the advice of Federico Fellini. Afterwards, from 1975 to 2009, she had several astrological columns, presented astrology on television, and published pleas for astrology's recognition.

From 1989, she advised the French President, François Mitterrand, who consulted her regularly at the Élysée Palace. Her advice covered both personal matters, such as his health, and matters of state such as the Gulf War and the timing of the Maastricht Treaty referendum. She released transcripts of their recorded conversations four years after his death. For example, he said, "You once told me there were days when it was better to talk, and days when it was better not to talk. When is the next best day for me to speak? Could you check for me?"

Filmography

Television astrology shows

From 1975 to 1983, she hosted a series of television shows making astrological predictions:

  • From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: Astralement vôtre or Interlude astral, daily broadcast on Antenne 2 (now France 2).
  • 1978–1979: Au Bonheur des astres, weekly show on Antenne 2
  • 1979–1980: La Légende des Ciels, weekly show on Antenne 2
  • 1980–1983: Astro Show: on ARD in Germany.

Astrological predictions

According to Teissier, her predictions have a success rate of 80% to 90%. She claims to have predicted events such as the shooting of Ronald Reagan, Black Monday and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Circle Zététique of Languedoc-Roussillon, via a test conducted at the University of Nice from April 2000 to January 2001, argued that her predictions and random predictions by a computer yielded identical results.

A team compared twenty-two forecasts made by Élizabeth Teissier for 2000 to twenty-two forecasts by a group using a common sense reasoning, and twenty-two forecasts made by using a computer to choose random dates. The target was a minimum of 16 successes for Teissier (73%).

Results:

  • Random choice: 8 successes
  • Teissier: 7 successes
  • Common sense: 7 successes.

The experiment concluded that there was no evidence of Élizabeth Teissier having any particular gift, with common-sense predictions or even random chance having equivalent results.

Cancer prediction claims

Teissier sparked controversy and denunciation in September 2007 when she said, in an interview with the Swiss daily newspaper Le Matin, that "in an astrological chart, you can see if you have a predisposition to cancer, and the type of cancer in question" and that "astrology has never killed anyone, unlike medicine".

Sociology thesis

Main article: Teissier affair

On 7 April 2001, Elizabeth Teissier defended her thesis entitled Situation épistémologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination-rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes ("The Epistemological Situation of Astrology in Relation to the Ambivalent Fascination/Rejection of Postmodern Societies"). Her studies at the University of Paris Descartes (a member of the Sorbonne University alliance), were under the supervision of Michel Maffesoli, an Emeritus Professor of Sociology. The central idea of the thesis was described by The New York Times as being that astrology is being oppressed by science, which Teissier called "official science" and "monolithic thought". Teissier argued, however, that her work is devoid of bias and had "focused only on the misunderstanding that astrology as a multimillennial knowledge vehicle" provokes. Her prepared statement was enthusiastically received by her supporters, but there was also a declaration from the editor-in-chief of Science et Vie Junior that what was occurring was a "farce". At end of the defense, the jury deliberated only briefly before Serge Moscovici admitted Teissier to her doctoral degree with the "very honourable" distinction.

The decision to award Teissier's doctorate was controversial, and several sociologists also publicly challenged its legitimacy. The university was criticised for granting the degree, as was the jury, along with Teissier's statements in support of astrology as a science.

A petition signed by over 370 sociologists was sent to Professor Pierre Daumard, the President of the university; he responded that Teissier had complied with all university requirements and it is not his place to question the "guarantees of the scientific validity of the thesis" from the independent jury. Daumard also defended that astrology is a legitimate subject for sociological study for its impact on society, However, a group organised by the Association Française pour l'Information Scientifique (AFIS) described it as "not a thesis in sociology but actually pro-astrological advocacy". They concluded that Teissier's work did not meet the requirements of scientific rigor of doctoral research, regardless of the discipline in question.

Lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation

In July 2015, Teissier sued the Wikimedia Foundation, saying the article about her on the French Misplaced Pages damaged her reputation, and required her to have the right of response. She lost the original trial and appeal. In June 2016, The Court of Appeal in Paris dismissed the case, stating that the Wikimedia Foundation had a technical role of hosting provider, and was thus not involved in the content, and that the remarks about Teissier fell within the limits of free criticism.

Bibliography

References

  1. Biography of André Teissier Du Cros, at Éditions Harmattan.fr.
  2. ^ Thierry Ardisson, interview with Élizabeth Teissier, from Tout le monde en parle on France 2, at 10 November 2001.
  3. ^ Hoogcarspel, Eric; Nienhuys, Jan W. (June 2001). "ET in the Sorbonne: The creation of a doctor in astrology". Skepter.
  4. ET in the Sorbonne: The creation of a doctor in astrology on Skepsis.nl, by Eric Hoogcarspel and Jan Willem Nienhuys
    • From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: Astralement vôtre or Interlude astral, daily broadcast on Antenne 2 (now France 2).
    • April 1976: publication of Ne brûlez pas la sorcière (une défense de l'astrologie) (Do Not Burn the Witch (A Defense of Astrology)), published by J.-J. Pauvert
    • 1977–2003: Astrology section in the magazine Télé 7 jours
    • 1978–1979: Au Bonheur des astres, weekly show on Antenne 2
    • 1979–1980: La Légende des Ciels, weekly show on Antenne 2
    • 1980–1983: Astro Show: on ARD, ORF and SF in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
    • In 1 February 2003, she began publishing in the weekly TV Mag, published by Figaro group.
  6. ^ Hazareesingh, Sudhir (2015), "Darkness and Light", How the French Think, Penguin, pp. 62–63, ISBN 9780141974804
  7. ^ Henley, Jon (25 June 2000), "How Mitterrand sought advice from astrologer", The Observer
  8. Filmweb.pl – Kim jesteś, Polly Maggoo? (in Polish)
  9. Notre Cinema article on Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo ?
  10. Filmweb.pl – Cast page for Kochany łobuz (a.k.a. Tendre Voyou)
  11. Filmweb.pl – Main page for Kochany łobuz (a.k.a. Tendre Voyou)
  12. Hollywood.com credits list for The Young Wolves
  13. Swedish Film Database page on alternate titles for Young Wolves, by the Swedish Film Institute
  14. cinema.encyclopedie.films.bifi.fr page on Faites donc plaisir aux amis (click on the "Générique artistique" tab to see her listed)
  15. British Film Institute page on Castle Keep
  16. British Film Institute page on The Blood Rose
  17. Sueurs Froides.fr review of Frustration by Philippe Chouvel
  18. Cinema-francais.fr page on Le rempart des Béguines
  19. Universcine.be
  20. British Film Institute page on Roland met de bles
  21. British Film Institute page on L'Événement le plus important depuis que l'homme a marché sur la Lune
  22. Allocine.fr page on Salut l'artiste
  23. Programme-tv.net: L'Incorrigible cast list
  24. Allocine.fr page on L'Incorrigible
  25. Eteissier.com – biographie.
  26. ^ Cercle Zététique du Languedoc-Roussillon, Résultats du Match Teissier/CZLR sur l'année 2000, 2001.
  27. ^ Eakin, Emily (2 June 2001). "Star Wars: Is Astrology Sociology?". New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  28. Mariella Madonna: «Elle raconte n'importe quoi» (Mariella Madonna: "She says anything") by Fabiano Citroni in Le Matin 14 September 2007; (copy).
  29. Le Matin, 2 September 2007
  30. "Procédure de Soutenance". Université Paris Decartes: école doctorale – sciences humaines et sociales – cultures, individus, sociétés (in French). Université Paris Decartes. pp. 15–18.
  31. Teissier, Élizabeth (2001). Situation épistémiologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination/rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes (Ph.D.). Paris Descartes University.
  32. ^ Jean-Paul Krivine, « Einstein et l'astrologie : une citation fausse qui a la vie dure », pseudo-sciences.org, December 2001.
  33. Gourdin, Caroline (18 August 2001). "Qui prédira la fin de l'affaire Teissier?". Le Soir (in French). p. 9. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  34. Rotmann, Charlotte (9 April 2001). "Elizabeth Teissier docteur des astres – Polémique universitaire autour de sa thèse de sociologie". Libération (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  35. Lahire, Bernard; Cibois, Philippe; Desjeux, Dominique (2001). "La non thèse de sociologie d'Élizabeth Teissier". Le magazine de l'homme moderne (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  36. Watson, Rod (2004). "Case Study: Examining a French PhD Thesis in Sociology and Related Disciplines". In Tinkler, Penny; Jackson, Carolyn (eds.). The Doctoral Examination Process: A Handbook For Students, Examiners And Supervisors. McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 72–73. ISBN 9780335213054.
  37. Martin, Olivier (7 August 2006). "Rappels et Conseils pour la Constitution des Jurys de Thèses et l'Organisation des Soutenances" (in French). Université Paris Decartes. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  38. ^ Cf. Christian Baudelot, Roger Establet, La sociologie sous une mauvaise étoile, Le Monde, 18 April 2001; a copy is available from homme-moderne.org.
  39. ^ C.f., for example Alain Bourdin, La sociologie, l'antithèse de Teissier, Libération, 19 April 2001, and the articles published in the press review by the AFIS: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.
  40. Serge Paugam, La Pratique de la sociologie, Paris, PUF, 2008, p. 117; cf. également Gérald Houdeville, Le Métier de sociologue en France depuis 1945.
  41. Filâtre, Daniel (30 December 2001). "Affaire Teissier: historique – Présentation par Daniel Filâtre, président de l'Ases (extrait de la Lettre de l'ASES 30 de décembre 2001)" (in French). ASES archives maintained by Philippe Cibois, former President. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  42. ^ Daumard, Pierre (2001). ""René-Descartes" and Élizabeth Teissier" (in French). ASES archives maintained by Philippe Cibois, former President. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  43. Association Française pour l'Information Scientifique (25 April 2001). "COMMUNIQUÉ À LA PRESSE". Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  44. Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois, Dominique Desjeux, Jean Audouze, Henri Broch, Jean-Paul Krivine, Jean-Claude Pecker et Jacques Bouveresse (6 August 2001). "Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier". Retrieved 6 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  45. "L'astrologue Elizabeth Teissier perd son procès pour modifier Wikipédia", Thierry Noisette, Rue89.com, 21 June 2016.
  46. Alexis Orsini (21 June 2016). "L'astrologue Elizabeth Teissier déboutée de sa plainte contre la fondation Wikimedia". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  47. « Wikipédia : Elizabeth Tessier déboutée de sa plainte », Jérôme Ivanichtenko, Europe 1.fr, 22 June 2016.

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