Hypnotism: Sinful?

bigfootbob · #1 Oct 18, '11, 7:41 pm

So... at our Bible study tonight, we got on the topic of hypnotism, and we couldn't really come to a conclusion on whether it's sinful or not. Does the Church have an official position on this?

Kalmbach · #2 Oct 18, '11, 8:00 pm

Hypnotism sometimes conjurs images of being under a spell and being manipulated. Most clinical uses of hypnotism are in the form of guided relaxation / mediation; it's simply to relax the body and concentrate the mind. The subject is aware and remembers everything that is happening. Studies have shown that people who are under hypnotic induction are more suggestible and so, as a tool, it should be used with caution. But my point is just this: it's a tool. It has the potential to be used in both productive and unproductive ways.

It would be interesting to see the church's position on hypnotism, since the definitions for it are so far reaching, and since the therapeutic elements are common to many non-hypnotism interventions.

AntalKalnoky · #3 Oct 18, '11, 10:29 pm

As Kalmbach pointed out, it depends on the Purpose of the Hypnotism: whether to help or harm the person. Usually it is to help solve crimes or health problems.

bigfootbob · #4 Oct 19, '11, 6:25 am

I guess the main thing I was wondering about is hypnotism for entertainment.

ahs · #5 Oct 19, '11, 7:38 am

In my opinion, that would fall into "superstition", see CCC 2111. But, that's jsut my opinion. I did a quick search for Papal Documents on Hynotic states, and found this:
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius12/P12APPSY.HTM

I'll take some time to read when I get a chance. If you get to read it first, please let us know if it says anything one way or the other.

ahs · #6 Oct 19, '11, 7:43 am

Here...not more than a few sentences into it the Pope already addresses an issue with this:
"Two points especially have been brought to Our notice: the widespread use of certain tests[1] by which one goes so far as to delve unscrupulously into the intimate depths of the soul, and the related, but larger problem, of the moral responsibility of the psychologist, that of the extent and limitations of his rights and of his duties in the use of scientific methods, whether in theoretical research or in practical application."

Emphasis was by me...and I believe hypnosis fits into this.

ahs · #7 Oct 19, '11, 8:23 am

Okay, so I went ahead and read it just now.

"In short, it can be said that one must sometimes deplore the unjustified intrusion of the psychologist in the depths of the personality and the serious psychic harm resulting therefrom to the patient and even to third parties. "

The main theme in regards to accessing the subconscious or hidden psychology of a person revolves around consent and the right to expose secrests. A person can give consent on his/her own behalf. So, methods where a person has the ability to reveal truths about him/herself with their own consent are moral. However, hyopnosis devles in to the subconscious during a semi-conscious state, and a person in a hypnotic state does not have to ability to choose what to reveal or not reveal. Therefore, they are in a position where they can reveal secrets of a third party, which is prohibited. Therefore, hypnotism would be immoral.

Anyway, those are ust my thoughts after reading that document by Pope Pius XII. If you want a more-true answer, you should probably ask a Priest.

-ahs

bigfootbob · #8 Oct 20, '11, 7:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahs

Here...not more than a few sentences into it the Pope already addresses an issue with this:
"Two points especially have been brought to Our notice: the widespread use of certain tests[1] by which one goes so far as to delve unscrupulously into the intimate depths of the soul, and the related, but larger problem, of the moral responsibility of the psychologist, that of the extent and limitations of his rights and of his duties in the use of scientific methods, whether in theoretical research or in practical application."

Emphasis was by me...and I believe hypnosis fits into this.

From what I understand from this, it would be wrong (for the hypnotist) to try to go deep into a person's mind to find out hidden things, but it doesn't seem to apply to hypnotism for entertainment, or even some types of clinical hypnotism.