Subliminal Thicket

I created the phrase 'subliminal thicket' to distinguish it from the ever popular 'liminal web.' This is the Facebook thread where I came up with the phrase, a tweak of Wimsatt's 'causal thicket.' It has only two references in a Google search, both of which are my posts, so I asked Bruce to query ChatGPT about it. Its answer was impressive, given the very limited data on the internet about it. Here's what it said:

"'Subliminal thicket' is a fascinating term that seems to evoke a sense of hidden complexity or an underlying web of meanings that can't be easily accessed or untangled. Let's explore this concept within the realms of philosophy, hermeneutics, spirituality, and psychology.

 

"In philosophy, a 'subliminal thicket' could refer to the complex network of ideas and concepts that form the foundation of a particular philosophical thought or system. These foundational concepts are often not immediately apparent, but they underlie the more explicit expressions of the philosophy. This could involve the assumptions, beliefs, and values that are implicitly held by philosophers and that influence their intellectual inquiries.

 

"In hermeneutics, the 'subliminal thicket' could describe the dense and intricate web of meanings, symbols, and interpretations that are often embedded within a text. It might refer to the layers of meaning that must be navigated and decoded by the reader in order to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the text. In this sense, the 'subliminal thicket' could be seen as the subtle, underlying subtext that is woven throughout a work.

 

"In the realm of spirituality, the 'subliminal thicket' might refer to the intricate network of beliefs, rituals, and practices that make up a spiritual tradition or path. This complex web of spiritual elements is often hidden from the casual observer and may require deep exploration and contemplation to be understood fully. The 'subliminal thicket' could also represent the mysterious, ineffable nature of spiritual experience itself, where profound truths are often glimpsed but not easily articulated.

 

"From a psychological perspective, the term 'subliminal thicket' could be used to describe the complex web of unconscious thoughts, feelings, and desires that influence an individual's behavior, decision-making, and emotions. The concept might encompass the intricate interplay of cognitive processes, emotions, and memories that shape a person's experience of reality. In this context, the 'subliminal thicket' refers to the often-hidden forces that drive human behavior and affect our mental well-being.

 

"In summary, the term 'subliminal thicket' seems to capture a sense of hidden complexity and depth within various realms of human experience. It suggests an intricate web of ideas, meanings, and forces that can be difficult to untangle but are essential for understanding the nature of reality and the human experience. The phenomenological aspect of the 'subliminal thicket' might involve the process of uncovering and making sense of these hidden dimensions, whether through philosophical inquiry, textual interpretation, spiritual practice, or psychological exploration."