Meanwhile we speak loosely of mind influencing matter, ignoring the impossibility.

And, however it happens, it is undoubtedly true that if we can, by mental suggestion, influence your Aunt's mind into a more healthy attitude the corresponding change will take place physically." "But I have tried to reason with her." "You can't reason with her.

She is beyond mere reason.

I might as well try to reason you out of your conviction that the sun is shining.

A delusion like hers has all the stability of a perfectly sane belief." "Then what can we do ?" "Since that delusion is a fact for her we must treat it as if it were a fact for us." "You mean we must pretend to believe that the danger is real ?" "It is real.