- September 23rd, 2024, 8:10 pm
#468287
This topic is about the September 2024 Philosophy Book of the Month, Zen and the Art of Writing: Publish Your First Book by Ray Hodgson
AI Prompt - Subconscious Mind
pikaso_texttoimage_Subconscious-mind-.jpeg (151.25 KiB) Viewed 841 times
The author explores the fascinating idea of a possible connection between creativity and the subconscious in his book. He quotes Thomas Edison's half-awake ideas and August Kekulé's dreams about the structure of benzene. These experiences demonstrate that major creative breakthroughs often happen when the mind is quiet and not consciously focused on the work at hand, such when it is in a state of reverie.
Psychologically speaking, this supports the notion that deeper, unconscious processes can give rise to creative expression. Philosopher John Dewey believed that people are most creative when “relaxed to the point of reverie,” allowing the brain’s associative networks to form new and unexpected connections.
The more inflexible, rational parts of the conscious mind appear to be circumvented in this condition, opening the door to creative solutions that might otherwise remain unattainable. In light of past instances such as Albert Einstein attributing his theory of relativity to a dream, it begs the question of how much of our creativity is actually under our conscious control.
Is it feasible that accessing the subconscious is crucial for creative breakthroughs, rather than just advantageous?
Is our subconscious storing the secret to creative expression?
pikaso_texttoimage_Subconscious-mind-.jpeg (151.25 KiB) Viewed 841 times
The author explores the fascinating idea of a possible connection between creativity and the subconscious in his book. He quotes Thomas Edison's half-awake ideas and August Kekulé's dreams about the structure of benzene. These experiences demonstrate that major creative breakthroughs often happen when the mind is quiet and not consciously focused on the work at hand, such when it is in a state of reverie.
Psychologically speaking, this supports the notion that deeper, unconscious processes can give rise to creative expression. Philosopher John Dewey believed that people are most creative when “relaxed to the point of reverie,” allowing the brain’s associative networks to form new and unexpected connections.
The more inflexible, rational parts of the conscious mind appear to be circumvented in this condition, opening the door to creative solutions that might otherwise remain unattainable. In light of past instances such as Albert Einstein attributing his theory of relativity to a dream, it begs the question of how much of our creativity is actually under our conscious control.
Is it feasible that accessing the subconscious is crucial for creative breakthroughs, rather than just advantageous?
Is our subconscious storing the secret to creative expression?
“There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers”
– William James
– William James
- By Sy Borg
- By thrasymachus