Reflections on the theatrical nature of a human being: suggestion and its hidden potential

The scientific interest of this work lies in the field of philosophical anthropology - the study of a human being as a complex open self-organizing system, where one of the constituent elements is, presumably, Theatricality. The author believes that theatrical techniques used by a human being in everyday life help him to adapt to the life in society, to others, and to himself. Theatricality appears as a kind of survival mechanism and a way of adapting to external and internal challenges. Being in plain sight, this amazing mechanism of social communication still remains somewhat hidden, studied abundantly but fragmentarily. It is difficult to trace the genesis of the formation of the Homo Theatrical’s phenomenon as well as to understand the mechanism and purpose of his everyday theatrical behavior. The Play and Theatricality as phenomena are closely intertwined, but not equal to each other. The Play does not involve breaking the rules, while the Homo Theatrical breaks the rules when he needs it. Among the elements of the theatrical nature of a human being, one can distinguish pretense, representation, manipulation, artistry, cunning, pragmatism, as well as suggestion. Suggestion appears as a phenomenon that is very common in the social environment. It has a viral potential and represents a kind of «psycho infection» for the brain. A Homo Theatrical strives to use suggestion to achieve pragmatic goals and, therefore, the theatrical nature itself acquires a viral potential. Reflection upon the viral potential of suggestion («psycho infection») contributes to a deeper analysis of the viral potential of the theatrical nature of a human being, which cannot but rely on an irresistible craving for suggestion, understanding the power of the influence of suggestion in achieving the desired.