Single Idea 4873

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 5. Qualia / a. Nature of qualia]

Full Idea

What is it like to notice, while sound asleep, that your left arm has become twisted into a position in which it is putting undue strain on your left shoulder? Like nothing.

Gist of Idea

What is it like to notice an uncomfortable position when you are asleep?

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Kinds of Minds [1996], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Kinds of Minds' [Phoenix 1997], p.17


A Reaction

A nice question, and all part of Dennett's accurate campaign to show that consciousness is not an all-or-nothing thing. As when we are barely aware of driving, innumerable things happen in the shadowy corners of thought.