From the Unconscious to the Conscious 



as contrary to known laws as are clairvoyance or trans- 

 cendental mediumistic communications. 



Professor Pouchet 1 writes as racily as he does 

 logically when he says: 



* To demonstrate that a brain by some kind of 

 gravitation acts at a distance on another brain like 

 a magnet on iron, the sun on the planets, or the 

 . earth on a falling body! To arrive at the discovery 

 of an influence, a nervous vibration propelling itself 

 without any material conductor! The amazing 

 thing is that those who believe, more or less, in 

 something of the sort, seem, poor fellows! not 

 even to suspect the importance and the interest of 

 the novelty which is involved, and what a revolution 

 this would be for the social world. Prove that, my 

 good people, and your names will stand higher than 

 that of Newton; and I can assure you that the 

 Berthelots and the Pasteurs will take off their hats 

 to you! ' 



A still more familiar begging of the question consists 

 in explaining hypnotism by hysteria, or hysteria by 

 hypnotism. * What is there astonishing in manifes- 

 tations under hypnotism ? Analogous and spontaneous 

 occurrences are known in hysteria! Why marvel at 

 hysterical manifestations ? Similar manifestations can 

 be brought about by hypnosis.' 



Then yet another step is taken in the way of begging 

 the question, when both hysteria and hypnotism are 

 referred to suggestibility or to Professor Babinsky's 

 ' Pythiatism.' 



But suggestion, a usual and convenient factor in 

 hypnosis or hysteria, is absolutely valueless and of no 

 import, as a philosophic explanation. ^ 



We have demonstrated as much in VEtre Sub- 

 conscient. 



1 Quoted by M. de Rochas : Ext&riorisation de la MotriciU. 



112 



