Autumn 2006 Seminar

MEDICINE AND THE POWER OF THE MIND
21st-22nd October 2006

Held in The Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
School of Oriental and African Studies
10 Thornhaugh Street, London WC1H OXG

Introduction

Medical science has been revolutionized by technologies such as the MRI scan, which enable us to observe the workings of the human brain. Yet with each new advance, an increasing number of doctors, scientists and others are suggesting that the more we know about the brain, the less we understand about the ability of our 'minds' to effect physical healing.

Major questions remain unresolved – and many of them were addressed in this seminar:

Why do some people succumb to, others rally from illnesses? Can we think ourselves well – or ill?
As modern medicine strives to apply the scientific method to new treatments, why are more and more people turning to often-untested complementary therapies?
Repeated studies have shown that the placebo effect is as efficacious as, if not more than, some widely-prescribed drugs - but is it ethical to make deliberate use of it?
How important is the power of thought in healing? What is the connection between brain/mind and body?
Do we have powers to heal ourselves – or even others – and if so, are there ways of harnessing these powers for medicine?