Difference between revisions of "Mind's Eye"
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==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: the [[mental]] faculty of [[conceiving]] [[imaginary]] or recollected scenes; also : the mental [[picture]] so conceived <in the '''mind's eye''' one sees dinosaurs, mammoths, and sabertoothed tigers — F. P. Brooks Jr.> | *1: the [[mental]] faculty of [[conceiving]] [[imaginary]] or recollected scenes; also : the mental [[picture]] so conceived <in the '''mind's eye''' one sees dinosaurs, mammoths, and sabertoothed tigers — F. P. Brooks Jr.> | ||
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The phrase '''"mind's eye"''' refers to the [[human]] [[ability]] for [[visualization]], i.e., for the [[experiencing]] of visual [[mental]] imagery; in other [[words]], one's ability to "[[Vision|see]]" things with the mind. | The phrase '''"mind's eye"''' refers to the [[human]] [[ability]] for [[visualization]], i.e., for the [[experiencing]] of visual [[mental]] imagery; in other [[words]], one's ability to "[[Vision|see]]" things with the mind. | ||
| − | The [[biological]] [[foundation]] of the mind's eye is not fully [[understood]]. [ | + | The [[biological]] [[foundation]] of the mind's eye is not fully [[understood]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FMRI fMRI] [[studies]] have shown that the lateral geniculate nucleus and the V1 area of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_cortex visual cortex] are activated during mental imagery tasks. Ratey writes: |
| − | <blockquote>The [ | + | <blockquote>The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_pathway visual pathway] is not a one-way street. Higher areas of the [[brain]] can also send visual input back to [[neurons]] in lower areas of the visual cortex... As [[humans]], we have the [[ability]] to see with the mind's eye -to have a [[perceptual]] [[experience]] in the [[absence]] of visual input. For example, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_scan PET scans] have shown that when subjects, seated in a room, [[imagine]] they are at their front door starting to walk either to the left or right, [[activation]] begins in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_association_cortex visual association cortex], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_cortex parietal cortex], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefrontal_cortex prefrontal cortex] - all higher [[cognitive]] processing centers of the [[brain]].</blockquote> |
| − | The rudiments of a [[biological]] [[basis]] for the mind's eye is found in the deeper portions of the [[brain]] below the neocortex, or where the center of [[perception]] exists. The [ | + | The rudiments of a [[biological]] [[basis]] for the mind's eye is found in the deeper portions of the [[brain]] below the neocortex, or where the center of [[perception]] exists. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalamus thalamus] has been found to be discrete to other components in that it [[processes]] all forms of [[perception]]al data relayed from both lower and higher components of the [[brain]]. Damage to this component can produce permanent perceptual damage, however when damage is inflicted upon the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_cortex cerebral cortex], the [[brain]] adapts to neuroplasticity to amend any occlusions for [[perception]]. It can be [[thought]] that the neocortex is a sophisticated [[memory]] storage warehouse in which [[data]] [[received]] as an input from sensory systems are compartmentalized via the cerebral cortex. This would [[essentially]] allow for shapes to be identified, although given the lack of filtering input produced internally, one may as a [[consequence]], [[hallucinate]] - essentially seeing something that isn't [[received]] as an input externally but rather internal (i.e. an [[error]] in the filtering of segmented sensory data from the cerebral cortex may result in one [[seeing]], [[feeling]], hearing or experiencing something that is inconsistent with [[reality]]). |
| − | Furthermore, the [ | + | Furthermore, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineal_gland pineal gland] is a [[hypothetical]] [[candidate]] for producing a mind's eye; Dr. Rick Strassman has postulated that during [[near death experiences]] (NDE's) and [[dreaming]], the gland might secrete a [[hallucinogenic]] [[chemical]] '[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N,N-Dimethyltryptamine N,N-Dimethyltryptamine]' (DMT) to produce internal visuals when external sensory data is occluded. However, Strassman has been unable to [[support]] this [[hypothesis]] with any neurochemical [[evidence]] or plausible [[mechanism]] for DMT production. The [[idea]] is consequently not [[accepted]] by the [[scientific]] [[community]]. |
| − | The use of the phrase mind's eye does not imply that there is a single or unitary place in the [[mind]] or [[brain]] where visual [[consciousness]] occurs. Various philosophers have criticized this view, [ | + | The use of the phrase mind's eye does not imply that there is a single or unitary place in the [[mind]] or [[brain]] where visual [[consciousness]] occurs. Various philosophers have criticized this view, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Dennett Daniel Dennett] being one of the best-known. However, others, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnjoe_McFadden Johnjoe McFadden] of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and the New Zealand-based neurobiologist Susan Pockett, have proposed that the brain's [[electromagnetic]] field is [[consciousness]] itself, thus causing the [[perception]] of a unitary location. |
[[Category: Biology]] | [[Category: Biology]] | ||
[[Category: Philosophy]] | [[Category: Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:23, 13 December 2020
Definitions
- 1: the mental faculty of conceiving imaginary or recollected scenes; also : the mental picture so conceived <in the mind's eye one sees dinosaurs, mammoths, and sabertoothed tigers — F. P. Brooks Jr.>
Description
The phrase "mind's eye" refers to the human ability for visualization, i.e., for the experiencing of visual mental imagery; in other words, one's ability to "see" things with the mind.
The biological foundation of the mind's eye is not fully understood. fMRI studies have shown that the lateral geniculate nucleus and the V1 area of the visual cortex are activated during mental imagery tasks. Ratey writes:
The visual pathway is not a one-way street. Higher areas of the brain can also send visual input back to neurons in lower areas of the visual cortex... As humans, we have the ability to see with the mind's eye -to have a perceptual experience in the absence of visual input. For example, PET scans have shown that when subjects, seated in a room, imagine they are at their front door starting to walk either to the left or right, activation begins in the visual association cortex, the parietal cortex, and the prefrontal cortex - all higher cognitive processing centers of the brain.
The rudiments of a biological basis for the mind's eye is found in the deeper portions of the brain below the neocortex, or where the center of perception exists. The thalamus has been found to be discrete to other components in that it processes all forms of perceptional data relayed from both lower and higher components of the brain. Damage to this component can produce permanent perceptual damage, however when damage is inflicted upon the cerebral cortex, the brain adapts to neuroplasticity to amend any occlusions for perception. It can be thought that the neocortex is a sophisticated memory storage warehouse in which data received as an input from sensory systems are compartmentalized via the cerebral cortex. This would essentially allow for shapes to be identified, although given the lack of filtering input produced internally, one may as a consequence, hallucinate - essentially seeing something that isn't received as an input externally but rather internal (i.e. an error in the filtering of segmented sensory data from the cerebral cortex may result in one seeing, feeling, hearing or experiencing something that is inconsistent with reality).
Furthermore, the pineal gland is a hypothetical candidate for producing a mind's eye; Dr. Rick Strassman has postulated that during near death experiences (NDE's) and dreaming, the gland might secrete a hallucinogenic chemical 'N,N-Dimethyltryptamine' (DMT) to produce internal visuals when external sensory data is occluded. However, Strassman has been unable to support this hypothesis with any neurochemical evidence or plausible mechanism for DMT production. The idea is consequently not accepted by the scientific community.
The use of the phrase mind's eye does not imply that there is a single or unitary place in the mind or brain where visual consciousness occurs. Various philosophers have criticized this view, Daniel Dennett being one of the best-known. However, others, such as Johnjoe McFadden of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and the New Zealand-based neurobiologist Susan Pockett, have proposed that the brain's electromagnetic field is consciousness itself, thus causing the perception of a unitary location.
