Is Being Conscious Like "Having The Lights Turned On"?
Briefly

from Psychology Today5 months ago
Metaphors shape our understanding of complex concepts; the metaphor of consciousness as 'the lights turned on' suggests a binary state — either fully conscious or not at all.
Psychology Todayhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-philosophy-meets-psychology/202408/is-being-conscious-like-having-the-lights-turned-on
The 'lights on' metaphor simplifies the complexity of consciousness, implying that states of consciousness and non-consciousness are clear-cut, overlooking those ambiguous, in-between states.
Psychology Todayhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-philosophy-meets-psychology/202408/is-being-conscious-like-having-the-lights-turned-on
While we can categorize states of consciousness into 'on' and 'off,' this perspective may neglect the nuances of experience, such as those found in drowsiness and dreams.
Psychology Todayhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-philosophy-meets-psychology/202408/is-being-conscious-like-having-the-lights-turned-on
Examining consciousness through lighting metaphors can encourage misconceptions; especially when it implies that cognitive states are exclusively one way or another, dismissing intermediate conditions.
Psychology Todayhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-philosophy-meets-psychology/202408/is-being-conscious-like-having-the-lights-turned-on
Read at Psychology Today
#consciousness #metaphors #cognition #philosophy #awareness
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