Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Reply to comment

jpena's picture

Hallucination

As demonstrated in class last Thursday, there is a blind spot in our retina. We found it by using the cross and the dot on a sheet of paper. But when we could no longer see the dot we did not see a hole or blank spot, instead we saw white. Immediately I thought about whether or not this qualified as a hallucination. I know I saw something that wasn't there. This must mean I am always seeing something that isn't there. Standing outside a building I might see a wall where there is really a window only because the window is in my blind spot and is surrounded by the brick wall, which I can see. As far as I know I have never hallucinated to any extent larger than my blind spot(s). But if the human brain is capable of generating and perceiving mental images without receiving input then I have to start questioning reality in terms of what I am seeing. Can I really trust my brain to give me an accurate image of what is in front of me?

Reply

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
6 + 2 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.