Refuting Freudianism’s Repressed Memory Syndrome.

Vic Biorseth, Friday, March 27, 2009
http://www.Thinking-Catholic-Strategic-Center.com

Here we present our argument refuting Freudianism’s Repressed Memory Syndrome theory, A.K.A. psycho-analysis, as pseudo-science, or Scientism, devoid of all scientific evidences or proofs.

1: The Scientific Method.

Any new hypothesis elevated to the level of scientific theory must first be supported by an overwhelming preponderance of multiple independently sourced scientific evidences supporting it and none refuting it. These evidences may be in the form of solid empirical evidences, in easily duplicable (and already duplicated) experiments, or both, with supporting consensus among all recognized experts in the field, and all results published. This process normally takes a great deal of time.

After the original proponent first satisfies himself through meticulous and objective gathering of evidences and successful experiments, his theory is then made public. New hypotheses are always expected to be openly published for peer review with elaborate explanations of duplicable observation and experiment, so that others may go through the same or similar processes themselves in a completely independent manner.

A period of objective independent criticism follows, during which the independent critics proactively seek to confirm or refute the hypothesis in the laboratory and the field. Upon complete or overwhelming independent confirmation the hypothesis may be elevated to the exalted level of a scientific theory. Upon the lack of independent confirmation, the hypothesis will be refuted.

2: Our Argument.

We submit that Freudianism’s hypothesis regarding the Repressed Memory Syndrome has never been properly subjected to the Scientific Method described above.

The hypothesis describes examination of a subconscious mind, and deep analysis thereof revealing repressed memory(s) of real events that took place within the life experiences of the subject. These events, and the harmful repression of them, are theorized to have caused various types of neurosis and/pr psychosis in the subject. It is further theorized that being helped to consciously remember these repressed memories is the beginning of return to normalcy through a process of consciously dealing with psychological issues related to the event, and the repression of the memory of it.

You can see Freud’s original observations from which he inferred his hypotheses of Repressed Memory Syndrome and the study of the subconscious mind, from which he further inferred his hypothesis regarding the psycho-analytical method at the definition of Freudianism page. The entire theory of repressed memory syndrome is based solely upon these observations and inferences of Sigmund Freud. You can see more detail on the entire subject at the actual Freudianism page itself.

The Theory’s Basis. The entire theory involving repressed memory and analysis of the subconscious mind rests solely upon the purely subjective hypothesis of Sigmund Freud, it has no empirical evidence whatsoever supporting it, and yet it enjoys near unanimous peer support everywhere today.

Any new neurosis or psychosis detected, by Freud or anyone else, is automatically assumed to have involve a subconscious repressed memory. All past psychological disorders in the record are assumed to have involved dreadful past events suppressed in the conscious memory of the subject. All current psychological difficulties are assumed to be in need of deep psychoanalysis to uncover and deal with repressed memories.

The Subconscious Mind. If anyone anywhere in all of recorded history has ever observed a subconscious mind, then lay the evidence of the event on the public table before us so that we all may observe it in the same light. The exact same subconscious mind must be available to every one us; then we may each independently make our own observations and experiments and do our own critiques by objectively putting this theory to the test.

If no subconscious mind has ever been observed by more than one observer in all of recorded history, and cannot even be made to be observable by anyone else, then the whole notion of the subconscious mind must be abandoned as a scientific theory in the interest of preserving the integrity of science itself.

Repressed Memory. If anyone anywhere in all of recorded history has ever observed a repressed memory, then lay the evidence of the event on the public table before us so that we all may observe it in the same light. The exact same repressed memory must be available to every one us; then we may each independently make our own observations and experiments and do our own critiques by objectively putting this theory to the test.

If no repressed memory has ever been developed out of a subconscious mind by more than one observer in all of recorded history, and cannot even be made to be observable by anyone else, then the whole notion of the repressed memory must be abandoned as a scientific theory in the interest of preserving the integrity of science itself.

Freudianism is a Fad of the Elite, pure and simple. Nothing more and nothing less. Since birth, it simply became extremely popular among the intelligentsia, the upper class and the pseudo-sophisticated. There is nothing scientific about it, since no real science has ever been applied to it. It has morphed into a belief system, a quasi-religion, based on faith alone. It is now taught almost as dogma in schools all over the world. The damage it has done to truth is incalculable. Taken axiomatically by everyone, it forms the foundation for many other theories, all of which may now be seen to stand on quicksand.

Scientism. I have spoken elsewhere on this site about Scientism and its past and current champions. Some example pages are The Enlightenment and Scientism, Scientism and Silly Assed Consensus, Richard Dawkins, and his adoring retinue of idiotic bobble-headed-dolls, just to name a few.

We have reached a point where real scientists in various related and unrelated disciplines base new hypothesis at least partially on the educationally inculcated belief that Freudianism is true. A scientific theory, we have all learned, is taken to be axiomatic; a given. We don’t bother to put them to the test. Science that has gone before enables us to stand on the shoulders of those who have already proved the established scientific theories. If the modern scientist has to test everything that has gone before, no real scientific progress can be made. That is why science relies heavily on established scientific theory, which is assumed to be supported by an overwhelming preponderance of evidence.

But Freud’s universally embraced theory is nothing more than an unsubstantiated, purely subjective personal hypothesis, and nothing more. Popularity and consensus has nothing to do with it. A scientific theory may either be scientifically substantiated, or it may not. This theory cannot stand the test of science.

Yet today we see that an overwhelming majority among TTRSTF dogmatically embracing Freudianism and refusing to even consider the slightest possibility of its falsification. And that’s where it stands.

Never have any separate and independent scientists ever observed and analyzed the same subconscious mind or the same repressed memory and arrived at the same conclusions regarding them. There is no independent substantive evidence of the existence of a subconscious mind. There is no independent substantive evidence of the existence of a repressed memory. Just a whole lot of pure conjecture and consensus.

And yet, this purely faith-based belief system, or religion, of Freudianism feels solidly secure in its scientistic consensus, and in public acceptance of its tenets. All Freudians will immediately band together against anyone who questions the religion of Freudianism, in unanimous support of militant and aggressive counter attacks. Question the core, central dogmas of Freudianism and the unanimous response from both camps will be SNRTACBT that Sigmund Freud’s theory is in any way in question.

Consensus trumps objective reality.

Beam me up, Scotty; there is no science down here.

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Repressed Memory Syndrome