McMahon CE, Hastrup JL. The role of imagination in the disease process: post-Cartesian history.
J Behav Med 1980;
3:205-17. [PMID:
6999160 DOI:
10.1007/bf00844991]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A previous paper traced the pre-Cartesian history of the concept of imagination as a causal variable in physiopathology. The present paper continues that history, showing the prohibitive impact of mind--body dualism and sampling the views of some eighteenth- and nineteenth-century supporters of the theory. Contemporary research has produced abundant evidence supporting the historic belief that imagination has an around function and a direct link to physiopathology. This literature is surveyed and possible therapeutic applications are discussed.
Collapse