Homing in on consciousness: Why is a dream conscious?
Behavioral and Brain Sciences January 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x15002228 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractConsciousness in dreams serves the same function as waking consciousness: adaptive voluntary action. The article examines how dream contents enter the conscious field and what properties dream consciousness has, building on Morsella et al.'s theory that consciousness is for guiding voluntary behavior. It raises two prior questions: the mechanism by which contents become conscious during dreams and the distinctive features of dream consciousness itself.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that before asking what consciousness is for in a dream, one must first address how dream contents enter the conscious field and what properties consciousness has in a dream. |
Abstract
AbstractMorsella et al. argue convincingly that consciousness is for adaptive voluntary action. What, then, is consciousness in a dream for? Two prior questions present themselves. In a dream, how do contents get into the conscious field? What are the properties of consciousness in a dream?