Since sensory deprivation has come up a few times, maybe I can comment further?
I do not regard it as an acceptable interrogation technique.
A Methodist minister that I spoke to described Quaker worship as "sensory deprivation" so what would he have thought of Zen meditation? (In the Serene Reflection Meditation tradition, we sit with eyes open.)
Can we describe death as both sensory and cerebral deprivation? Thus, no sensations and also no memories or thoughts.
Would a Zen Master be able to handle prolonged sensory deprivation? Would he enter a state of alertness with, paradoxically, nothing to be alert to? If hallucinations arose, would he recognize them as such and be able to let them arise and pass? If no thoughts arose, then how would the condition differ from unconsciousness? Would sensory deprivation be Nirvana for some and Hell for others? (A Japanese hereafter shown in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman might answer this description.)
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I am glad we can disagree like civilized persons. I would still argue for the use of sensory deprivation as a legitimate method of interrogation when used with the care shown by Flandry in URGENT cases (such as during times of war on enemy agents). And not as something to be used in ordinary police work and criminal investigations.
Ad astra! Sean
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