|
THE STORY
Part II
Some psychologists hold to the theory
that the moment a subject yields to the suggestions of another, he virtually
renounces his objective mind and becomes the obedient servant to carry out the
will of another.
Von Scholtz accepted this theory with
some reservations, namely; (a) that it depended somewhat upon the subject to be
influenced; (b) upon the purpose the subject has in being influenced; (c) and
upon what mental reservations he keeps while submitting to the suggestions of
another.
The learned Professor held that if a
subject knows definitely what he wants and is determined to get it at all
hazards, that even though he submits to a suggestion unacceptable to reason, so
that the objective mind of the subject is set adrift in an abnormal direction,
the subjective mind will nevertheless not cease to carry out its own normal
purposes during the time the contrary influence is at work.
It would be possible in that case for an
individual to act as having two personalities working at cross purposes, the
objective mind of the subject being obedient to the will of the suggester and
the subjective mind of the subject carrying out his own will. In holding to
this theory, Von Scholtz did not underestimate the art, the skill, or the
strength of Marbado. On the contrary, he had reasons aplenty to acknowledge
them as potent factors to be weighed carefully before he would drink of the
magic water. His mission was not only to convince Marbado that he could get to
the end of the cave and out again, but that he was there also to study at first
hand from a scientific standpoint Marbado's methods, and if he went out of the
cave again as he came in by denying or ignoring the things he saw, he would be
very little wiser than when he came in, so that in order to enter into a more
thorough study of his subject he must abandon his subjective mind to Marbado's
art, enter into the spirit of the occasion and follow the motives of the
Magician. To do this he felt the purpose of science would be better served and
the real genius of the Magician the better understood.
|
