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From: hubey@pegasus.montclair.edu (H. M. Hubey)
Subject: Re: Thought Question
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Date: Thu, 20 Apr 1995 15:53:58 GMT
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minsky@transit.ai.mit.edu (Marvin Minsky) writes:

>In article <9504080348596.The_Win-D.chris000@delphi.com> chris000@delphi.com (Chris x) writes:
> [...]

>>Why?  An experiment that has been duplicated several times has the subjects
>>under hypnosis being told that they are about to be touched with a red hot
>>metal object.  They are then touched with an ice cube.  Many subjects blister
>>within seconds, and complain of the burning sensation after the sessions.  The 
>>hypnotist has changed their perception the environment, and this is all that
>>matters, not the *real* or *subjective* environment, if such a thing exists.

>Even if this were true, which I doubt (see if you can find 'several'
>such reports in refereed journals) why would this be more significant
>than a person's ability to move a finger at will?


It would mean that the so-called autonomic [nervous] system is not so
autonomic as to be completely independent of the what we call the
conscious or volitional system.  Blisters and welts are supposed to
form automatically without any conscious effort or will on our part.


OF course, there's other evidence that the autonomic processes can
be controlled by the conscious/volitional system. For example, almost
every mystical order knows about breath control in attaining control
over things like heart rate etc.


So hypnosis would straddle the transition zone between different
states i.e. between conscious and sub/un-conscious or autonomic
state/systems.

I actually experimented with self-hypnosis years ago to see if there 
was anything to being able to extend conscious control over other
systems. The results were mixed. Self-hypnosis does work to a degree
in the sense that "keeping a dream alive", or "positive self-image", 
even daydreaming is all a part of suggesting possible outcomes
to the brain, and working toward a goal. 


--

Regards, Mark

hubey@amiga.montclair.edu
