About symbolism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Symbolism is a straightforward communication with subconceptual mental patterns, unlike using an analogy. [see: “Symbols and Signs<\/a>“]<\/p>\n\n\n\n In many cases, the use of symbolism is pretty undifferentiated. This is enough for the symbol to ‘work’ somehow. Indeed, it makes it easier to ‘work.’ But is it worthwhile this way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always been<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthcare has been symbolic for many thousands of years until quite recently. Think ‘shamanistic medicine (wo)man.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n It still forms a considerable chunk of present-day mental healthcare. Think ‘placebo.’ [see: “Placebo Without Deception?<\/a>“]<\/p>\n\n\n\n This symbolic healthcare has always been covert, and it still is. This is, the symbol itself has been invested with intrinsic ‘healing power.’ As with any symbol, it has none. The power of the symbol does not lie within the symbolizing, but within the symbolized, as part of the symbolizer. [see: “Symbolism lost. Symbolism regained.<\/a>“]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instrumental psychotherapies are also symbols.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When scientifically investigated, they don’t work apart from their symbolism. Thus, in strictly conceptual studies, unsurprisingly in light of the above, they do not work. [see: “Psychotherapy vs. Psychotherapies<\/a>“]<\/p>\n\n\n\n In practice, they do work. Any covert symbol does, indeed, work. This has always been the case, and it will always be so. But is it worthwhile this way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n That depends on drawbacks and alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drawbacks of covert symbolism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, covert symbolism always had serious drawbacks. Any conceptually rational endeavor has almost always been absent from it, as it still is in placebo. That puts the whole issue into an ‘anything goes.’ In such an environment, any symbol performs its function as long as it is believed in \u2015 as long as it has status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main issue with this is that it’s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A doorkey is not the door itself, nor what lies behind.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n